Transmission Control Checking Circuitry for Interconnect Error Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data processing systems face challenges in detecting errors in the control of transaction transmission through interconnect circuitry, which can result in misrouting or sequencing issues, and current solutions like duplicate circuitry are costly and power-intensive.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating transmission control checking circuitry that adds and compares control check data within transaction responses to detect errors, allowing for accurate reporting and action on misrouting or sequencing errors, and can be implemented as separate wrapper circuitry or integrated into transaction masters and slaves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If duplicate interconnect circuitry and comparators are provided to detect transmission control errors, then error detection capability is improved, but circuit area, cost and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the error detection function into two parts: (1) control check data generation at the transaction originator, and (2) control check data comparison at the transaction destination. This segmentation allows the use of simple comparators at endpoints rather than duplicating entire interconnect circuitry, significantly reducing circuit area while maintaining error detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces control check data as an intermediary element that carries error detection information through the interconnect circuitry. This intermediary mechanism enables error detection without requiring duplicate circuitry, as the control check data can be compared against expected values at the destination to detect transmission control errors.
2Reliability
If duplicate interconnect circuitry and comparators are provided to detect transmission control errors, then error detection capability is improved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the error detection function to use simple comparators at endpoints rather than activating entire duplicate interconnect circuitry, the patent dramatically reduces power consumption. Only the minimal comparison logic at transaction endpoints needs to operate, rather than powering up complete duplicate transmission paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses lightweight control check data structures that can be generated and compared with minimal computational overhead. These disposable check data elements enable error detection without the sustained power consumption required by duplicate active circuitry.
3Reliability
If control check data is added to transaction responses for error detection, then transmission control error detection is improved, but transaction overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies control check data selectively to transaction responses that require error detection, rather than adding overhead to all transactions uniformly. The control check mechanism is applied locally where transmission control errors are most critical, minimizing overall transaction overhead while maintaining detection capability for safety-critical systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
Transmission control checking circuitry adds control check data to a transaction response which is received at a transaction master and compared with expected data at the transaction master. The expected data having control check data may be a unique transaction identifier. The transaction master generated the unique transaction identifier when it generated the transaction request and will check that the transaction responses include that unique transaction identifier. In this way, errors in the control of transmission of transactions (e.g. misrouting) may be detected.