USIP Protocol for SoC Network Efficiency and QoS
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing SoC-based network protocols are inefficient due to asymmetric structures, high numbers of signal lines, and lack of quality of service (QoS) support, leading to performance degradation and increased complexity in multi-chipset systems.
Innovation Solution
A symmetric SoC-based system network protocol that reduces signal transmission and reception cycles by using a unified system interface protocol (USIP) with flexible priority control and integrated QoS support, allowing for efficient data transfer and communication across various environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If asymmetric protocols with master-slave communication format are used, then communication can be initiated by master and terminated by slave, but the communication channel remains open until completion causing inefficiency and requiring double signal lines for bidirectional communication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by introducing unidirectional communication modes (master-initiated and slave-initiated) within the otherwise symmetric protocol framework. This allows the protocol to maintain symmetry for bidirectional communication while incorporating asymmetric unidirectional modes to improve efficiency and reduce signal line requirements, resolving the contradiction between communication efficiency and device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of protocols are used in multi-chipset systems, then various communication functions can be supported, but system design becomes complex and performance degrades due to protocol conversion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing a single unified protocol that can handle multiple communication scenarios including on-chip communication, off-chip communication, and inter-chipset communication. The protocol provides both unidirectional and bidirectional communication modes, allowing one protocol to replace multiple specialized protocols, thereby reducing system design complexity while maintaining versatility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the number of interface signal lines is increased, then more communication functions can be provided, but physical cost and operating frequency are affected and routing congestion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining multiple communication functions into a single unified protocol with integrated bidirectional and unidirectional modes. This consolidation reduces the number of separate signal line sets required, thereby lowering physical cost and reducing routing congestion while maintaining comprehensive communication functionality.
4Device complexity
If symmetric protocol with unified interface is used, then bidirectional communication can be achieved with single interface, but existing asymmetric protocols require double signal lines for same functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by enabling the protocol to adapt its communication mode (unidirectional or bidirectional) based on the specific communication requirements. This dynamic flexibility allows a single interface to achieve both bidirectional communication efficiency and unidirectional simplicity, resolving the contradiction between interface structure complexity and communication performance by selecting the appropriate mode for each scenario.
Data Source
AI summary
An SoC-based system network protocol in consideration of network efficiency is disclosed. An MSB of a command signal containing an instruction defining information that is contained in a transfer signal transferred from an initiator to a destination via a channel or in a response signal transferred from the destination via the channel indicates that a highest priority is assigned to a transaction between the initiator and the destination in the network, when the instruction contained in the command signal corresponds to address information contained in the transfer signal and response information contained in the response signal, and indicates last data of a signal transferred between the initiator and the destination when the instruction contained in the command signal corresponds to control information contained in the transfer signal and data contained in the transfer signal and the response signal.