USB Host Controller Parallel Endpoint Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current USB host controllers face latency issues due to sequential processing of endpoints, which limits data transfer efficiency and fails to meet the increasing demand for faster data access in complex electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
A USB host controller architecture with a schedule management unit that performs multiple stages of packet transfer for multiple endpoints in parallel, utilizing stage processing units to manage endpoint statuses, transfer information, packet transmission, and response handling simultaneously, thereby enabling pipelining of operations across multiple endpoints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If sequential processing of endpoints is used, then device complexity is reduced, but data transfer efficiency deteriorates due to latency
Solution Approach 1:
The host controller is segmented into multiple stage processing units (first stage, second stage, third stage, fourth stage) that handle different aspects of endpoint processing independently. Each stage processes specific tasks such as status obtaining, transfer information obtaining, packet transmitting, and response obtaining, allowing parallel execution across multiple endpoints simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional sequential processing to multi-dimensional parallel processing by introducing multiple processing stages that operate simultaneously on different endpoints. This dimensional expansion allows the system to handle multiple endpoints in parallel while maintaining organized stage-based processing flow.
2Speed
If parallel processing of multiple endpoints is implemented, then data transfer speed is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The host controller is divided into four distinct stage processing units, each responsible for specific processing tasks. This segmentation enables parallel execution across multiple endpoints while maintaining manageable complexity within each stage, as each unit handles a specific subset of the overall processing workflow.
Solution Approach 2:
Each stage processing unit is designed to handle multiple endpoints simultaneously, providing universal functionality across different endpoint contexts. The stages can process any endpoint through the same standardized workflow, reducing overall system complexity despite parallel processing capabilities.
3Loss of time
If sequential endpoint processing is used, then controller design is simplified, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first stage processing unit obtains status information of endpoints in advance, preparing data for subsequent stages. This preliminary action allows later stages to process information more efficiently and reduces overall processing latency by having critical data ready before it is needed for packet transmission and response handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The four-stage processing architecture enables continuous processing across multiple endpoints without idle waiting periods. While one endpoint is being processed through later stages, other endpoints can simultaneously progress through earlier stages, eliminating gaps in useful action and reducing overall system latency.
Data Source
AI summary
A USB host controller is provided. The USB host controller includes an endpoint management unit, a transfer management unit, and a schedule management unit. The endpoint management unit manages endpoint configurations of a USB device, wherein the USB device includes a plurality of endpoints and the endpoint configurations include a plurality of statuses of the endpoints of the USB device. The transfer management unit transfers data regarding transfer information of the endpoints of the USB device between a system memory and the USB host controller. The schedule management unit simultaneously manages packet transfer of at least two endpoints of the USB device.