Unified IO Controller for Wireless Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated wireless devices face challenges with multifunctionality due to the need for separate host interfaces for each function, leading to increased pin count, power consumption, and complexity, as well as the expense of implementing shared host interfaces with multiple protocol handlers.
Innovation Solution
A unified IO controller provides a single shared host interface PHY/MAC that handles all functions, using common and unified logic to multiplex independent IO functions, reducing the need for separate protocol handlers and optimizing hardware partitioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate host interfaces are provided for each function, then each function can operate independently, but pin count, power consumption, and die size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate host interfaces into a single unified host interface that serves multiple functions (Bluetooth, GPS, WLAN, etc.). This unified interface consolidates the physical connection pins, reducing the overall pin count while maintaining independent operation of each function through logical separation and protocol handling within the unified interface architecture.
2Reliability
If separate host interfaces are provided for each function, then each function can operate independently, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The unified host interface consolidates multiple interface circuits into a single shared infrastructure, reducing redundant power consumption. By sharing common control logic, signal routing, and protocol handling resources across multiple functions, the system reduces overall power consumption while maintaining the ability to independently control and operate each wireless function when needed.
3Reliability
If separate host interfaces are provided for each function, then each function can operate independently, but die size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple host interface functions into a single unified interface block on the chip, significantly reducing the die area required. Instead of having separate interface circuits for Bluetooth, GPS, WLAN, and other functions, the unified interface shares common control logic, state machines, and signal processing resources, thereby reducing the overall silicon real estate required while maintaining independent function capability through logical separation.
4Quantity of substance
If multiple protocol handlers are used for shared host interface, then functions can share hardware, but implementation expense increases
Solution Approach 1:
The unified host interface is designed with universal protocol handling capability that can manage multiple wireless protocols (Bluetooth, GPS, WLAN, etc.) through a single interface architecture. The interface incorporates multi-functional control logic and protocol state machines that can dynamically adapt to different protocol requirements, eliminating the need for separate dedicated protocol handlers for each function while maintaining hardware sharing benefits.
Data Source
AI summary
A novel and useful apparatus for and method of a unified IO controller well suited for use in integrated wireless devices incorporating multiple functions. The unified IO controller is operative to provide a single host interface PHY/MAC that is shared among all functions on the controller. The invention provides an IO protocol handler comprising common and unified logic that provides IO access to any function on the device. The common and unified IO PHY interface logic is shared between multiple functions within the same device (e.g., WLAN, GPS, Bluetooth, etc.). This implementation provides optimized hardware partitioning in which common SDIO logic serves multiple functions thereby eliminating the need to provide a protocol handler for each function, reducing pin count, power consumption and die size, since the SDIO protocol handling is implemented in a shared module.