Two-Wire Sub-Device Interface for Centralized Command Interpretation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing circuit size in semiconductor devices is large due to the inclusion of a circuit for command interpretation in each sub-device and the need for an additional interface circuit, which increases overall circuit size.
Innovation Solution
A data communication device with a command interpretation device connected to sub-devices via a two-wire bus, where the command interpretation is performed centrally, reducing the need for individual command interpretation circuits in each sub-device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If each sub-device includes a circuit for command interpretation, then the sub-device can independently interpret commands, but the overall circuit size becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The command interpretation circuit is extracted from each sub-device and consolidated into a single interface circuit. This interface circuit is connected to multiple sub-devices through a shared bus system (clock bus, data bus, enable bus), allowing one centralized interpretation unit to serve multiple sub-devices, thereby reducing the total circuit area while maintaining full command interpretation functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The interface circuit is designed as a universal component that can interpret commands for multiple different sub-devices. By using a shared enable bus where each sub-device has its own enable signal line, the single interface circuit can selectively activate different sub-devices based on the command being executed, making the interpretation capability universal across all connected sub-devices
2Device complexity
If an interface circuit is added to interpret signals from the main device, then command interpretation is centralized, but the overall circuit size increases due to additional enable buses for each sub-device
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple enable bus lines (one for each sub-device) are merged into a single shared enable bus structure. The interface circuit controls multiple sub-devices through this shared bus system, combining what would otherwise be separate dedicated control paths into a unified communication infrastructure that reduces overall circuit area
Data Source
AI summary
A data communication device that enables a reduction in the circuit size is provided. A data communication device includes: a command interpretation device that is connected to a main device, receives, from the main device, a main signal including a command signal, an address signal that designates an address of at least one register included in a sub-device and a sub-device, and a write data signal to be stored in the register corresponding to the address, and interprets the command signal; and the sub-device and the sub-device that are connected to the command interpretation device via a first signal line through which a clock signal is transmitted and a second signal line through which a data signal is transmitted.