Trace Fabric Routing with Secondary Destinations for SoC Bandwidth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Communication networks, particularly those with debug trace fabrics in System on Chip (SoC), face challenges in managing limited bandwidth due to bottlenecks at primary destinations, which are shared among multiple sources, leading to contention and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing additional trace aggregators as secondary destinations within the debug trace fabric, allowing dynamic configuration of routing paths based on a single-bit destination identifier, enabling messages to be directed to primary or secondary destinations depending on the availability and functionality of secondary output ports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If multiple sources share a single primary destination, then routing simplicity is maintained, but available bandwidth is limited and bottlenecks occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single destination into multiple destinations (primary destination and secondary destinations). Each routing element is configured with multiple output ports corresponding to different destinations, allowing traffic to be segmented and routed to different destinations based on destination identifiers, thereby increasing total bandwidth while maintaining routing simplicity through configurable destination mapping.
2Quantity of substance
If secondary destinations are added to increase bandwidth, then available bandwidth is scaled, but routing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic routing where secondary output ports can be dynamically enabled or disabled based on functionality. The system can adaptively switch between primary and secondary destinations, allowing bandwidth scaling without permanent complexity increases. When secondary destinations are not needed, their ports remain inactive, maintaining simple routing behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The routing elements are designed with multi-functionality, supporting both primary and secondary destination routing through a unified architecture. The same routing infrastructure handles both single-destination and multi-destination scenarios, eliminating the need for separate routing paths and reducing overall system complexity despite increased bandwidth capability.
3Quantity of substance
If secondary output ports are used for bandwidth scaling, then total bandwidth increases, but protocol compatibility challenges arise
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service through automatic detection and adaptation. When secondary destinations are not present or enabled, the routing elements automatically route all traffic through primary destinations without requiring external configuration or protocol changes. This self-adapting behavior ensures compatibility with existing protocols and systems while enabling bandwidth scaling when secondary destinations are available.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include apparatuses, methods, and systems of routing network containing a set of sources, a primary destination, a set of secondary destinations, and one or more routing elements. A routing element includes an input port, a set of output ports including a primary output port and a set of secondary output ports, and a control unit. The control unit is arranged to select a secondary output port to deliver a received message when the intended destination of the message is a secondary destination and the secondary output port is in a functional state. Otherwise, the control unit is arranged to select the primary output port to deliver the received message to the primary destination when the intended destination is the secondary destination and the secondary output port that reaches the secondary destination is in a nonfunctional state. Other embodiments may also be described and claimed.