Variable-Length Addressing Protocol for SoC Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communications protocols face inefficiencies due to fixed address field lengths, which limit the number of addressable devices and introduce unnecessary overhead, especially in systems with varying numbers of connected devices, such as System-on-Chip (SoC) devices, where high data traffic and debugging require minimizing header size to maximize payload efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A protocol that allows for variable-length addresses by using a discovery request and response mechanism, where the address field length is determined by counting bits prior to a flag, enabling dynamic address field length determination and minimizing header size without prior knowledge of address length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a large address field is used to support a very large number of devices, then the number of addressable entities is increased, but the packet header size increases introducing unnecessary overhead and reducing throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic address field length adjustment by introducing a variable-length addressing mechanism. The address field can expand or contract based on the actual number of devices in the system, rather than being fixed at a large size. This is achieved through a discovery phase where devices negotiate the minimum necessary address field size, allowing the system to adapt the address field length to match the actual network规模, thereby reducing overhead while maintaining the capability to address all devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of address field length from a static fixed value to a dynamic variable. By introducing a discovery mechanism that determines the actual number of devices and adjusts the address field length accordingly, the system transforms the address field from a predetermined fixed-size structure to one that can be optimized based on actual system requirements, reducing unnecessary overhead while maintaining adequate addressing capability.
2Device complexity
If a fixed set number of bits is dedicated to the addressing field, then the protocol structure is simplified, but the number of individually addressable entities is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a discovery phase that dynamically determines the appropriate address field length based on the actual number of devices. This allows the protocol to maintain a simple fixed-structure appearance while actually supporting variable address field lengths, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and addressing capability by making the address field length adaptable to system size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a discovery mechanism that performs preliminary action before normal data transmission. During this discovery phase, devices exchange information to determine the minimum address field size required, and this information is cached for subsequent use. This preliminary determination allows the system to optimize the address field length without adding complexity to the main data transmission protocol structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a very large address field is set in the protocol, then all devices can be individually addressed, but the proportion of payload in each packet is reduced due to increased header size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic address field length mechanism that adjusts the address field size to match the actual number of devices in the system. This prevents the address field from being unnecessarily large, thereby maximizing the payload proportion in each packet while maintaining adequate addressing capability for all devices in the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the address field length parameter from a fixed large value to a dynamic value that is optimized based on the actual system size. By adjusting this parameter to the minimum necessary size, the system maximizes the payload proportion while ensuring all devices can be individually addressed, resolving the trade-off between addressing capability and payload efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
A communication unit and discoverable unit communicate according to a protocol in which unit addresses are not of a predetermined length. The communication unit sends a discovery request to the discoverable unit. The discoverable unit receives the discovery request and generates a discovery response. The discovery response comprises an address field of length unknown to the communication unit, populated with an address of the discoverable unit. The discovery response also comprises a flag following the address field. The discoverable unit sends the discovery response to the communication unit. The communication unit receives the discovery response and determines the address field length by counting the number of bits prior to the flag.