Timing Easing Circuitry for Multi-Cycle Data Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current data processing apparatuses face challenges in meeting timing requirements due to complex interconnect circuitry, particularly in systems adhering to protocols like AXI, where register slice components are large and resource-intensive, making them unsuitable for FPGA or tightly constrained designs.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of timing easing circuitry within the communication channel to temporarily buffer transfer control information, allowing for a multi-cycle path without the need for register slice components, thereby reducing the number of clock cycles required and saving resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If register slice components are added into communication paths to meet timing requirements, then timing constraints are satisfied, but device complexity and resource consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication path into multiple paths with different latency characteristics. Instead of adding complex register slices to a single path, the system creates alternative paths (such as fast path and slow path) that can be selected based on timing requirements. This segmentation allows timing constraints to be met without increasing the complexity of individual path components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of path selection dynamically. By introducing a path selection mechanism that can choose between different communication paths based on timing requirements, the system avoids the need for complex register slice components. The parameter change is achieved through selecting different physical or logical paths rather than modifying the complexity of path components.
2Reliability
If register slice components are used to buffer data and control information, then timing constraints are eased, but the area and power consumption increase due to large number of flops required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the timing buffering function from the traditional register slice component and implements it through a different mechanism. Instead of using大量 flops to create register slices, the system uses a path selection mechanism that naturally provides timing buffering by routing data through paths with appropriate latency. This extraction removes the need for power-intensive register slice components while maintaining timing constraint satisfaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the timing buffering function using path selection rather than traditional register slices. By implementing timing buffering through path selection logic rather than full register slice components, the system achieves the same timing easing effect with significantly reduced power consumption and resource usage.
3Reliability
If traditional register slice components are implemented in FPGA or tightly constrained designs, then timing requirements can be met, but the large resource footprint makes them unsuitable for resource-constrained applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic path selection that adapts to timing requirements without requiring fixed, resource-intensive register slice components. The system dynamically chooses communication paths based on the specific timing needs of different data transfers, allowing resource-constrained FPGAs to meet timing requirements only when necessary, rather than always allocating resources for register slices.
Solution Approach 2:
The path selection mechanism serves multiple functions: it routes data efficiently, provides timing buffering when needed, and selects optimal paths based on latency requirements. This universal mechanism replaces the need for dedicated register slice components, reducing resource consumption while maintaining the ability to meet timing requirements in FPGA and constrained designs.
Data Source
AI summary
A data processing apparatus has initiator circuitry for initiating a transfer of payload data in a first clock cycle, and recipient circuitry for receiving the payload data in a later clock cycle. A communication channel carries the payload data along with associated transfer control information. Timing of receipt of the payload data by the recipient circuitry is controlled by the transfer control information. Timing easing circuitry located within the communication channel temporarily buffers the transfer control information before outputting it to the recipient circuitry. The timing easing circuitry is responsive to a specified timing easing value to determine a time for which the transfer control information is temporarily buffered. The number of clock cycles that elapses between the first clock cycle and the later clock cycle depends on the specified timing easing value. This enables a multi-cycle path to be provided to transfer the payload data.