Universal Serial Controller for Multi-Protocol IC Interfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Integrated circuit chips require multiple master serial controllers to communicate with various external device interfaces, leading to increased costs and resource consumption due to the need for separate controllers for each interface.

Innovation Solution

A single controller is configured to facilitate communication with multiple external device interfaces using a microprocessor, memory blocks containing interface configuration data, and external device interfaces supporting different communication protocols, allowing the processor to write command data and configure the controller to communicate with various interfaces without active processor control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple master serial controllers are used to communicate with various external device interfaces, then communication capability with multiple interfaces is achieved, but costs and resource consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidnumber of controllers

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal serial controller that can be configured to work with multiple different external device interfaces through programmable configuration data stored in memory. The controller reads interface-specific configuration data and adjusts its operation accordingly, allowing a single controller to perform the functions of multiple dedicated controllers, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining communication capability with various interfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The serial controller is designed with dynamic reconfigurability, where configuration data for different interfaces is loaded from memory blocks as needed. The controller can change its operational parameters and behavior based on the loaded configuration, enabling it to adapt to different interface requirements dynamically rather than being fixed for a single interface type

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface supportVSAvoidchip space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By implementing a universal serial controller that can be configured through programmable data stored in memory, the patent enables a single controller to replace multiple dedicated controllers. This significantly reduces the chip area required while maintaining the ability to communicate with various external device interfaces through different communication protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses memory blocks to store configuration data that represents different interface configurations. Instead of duplicating multiple physical controller circuits, the system copies configuration data for different interfaces into memory and loads the appropriate configuration when needed, achieving interface diversity without proportional increases in chip space

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Device complexity

If a single controller is configured to communicate with multiple external device interfaces, then resource consumption is reduced, but configuration complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of controllersVSAvoidconfiguration process

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent prepares configuration data for different interfaces in advance and stores it in dedicated memory blocks. This preliminary preparation of configuration data simplifies the runtime operation, as the controller only needs to load and execute pre-prepared configuration data rather than performing complex configuration procedures when switching between interfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS7908406B2Interface architecture for facilitating communication regardless of protocol

Publication Date: 2011.03.15 II VI DELAWARE INC

AI summary

An architecture and method in an integrated circuit for configuring a controller to facilitate communication with a plurality of external device interfaces. The integrated circuit includes a processor, a first memory, a second memory, including a plurality of dedicated memory blocks containing configuration data, and a plurality of external device interfaces. The processor is configured to write a microcode instruction to the first memory. The controller is configured to read the microcode instruction in the first memory and as a result access one of the plurality of dedicated memory blocks. Next, the controller processes the configuration data in the dedicated memory block according to the microcode instruction. As a result, the controller is configured to communicate with one of the plurality of external device interfaces. This process may be repeated as needed to configure the controller to communicate with different device interfaces using different communication protocols.