Vehicle Network Accelerator Gateway Multilayer Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional network accelerators for the automotive sector lack support for gateway functionalities, such as LIN/CAN/FlexRay over Ethernet, and fail to meet performance and Quality-of-Service requirements, especially in high-end configurations with multiple MAC Ethernet ports at high-speed rates, requiring costly adaptations and being unsuitable for emerging multimedia and safety applications.
Innovation Solution
A flexible and secure hardware network accelerator with multilayer (L2+) capabilities, supporting high-quality of service functionalities, including audio-video bridging and time-sensitive networking, and capable of routing traffic with reduced CPU intervention, while integrating with various in-vehicle networking technologies like CAN and Ethernet, and providing internal SoC virtual machine ports for routing L2/L3 traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional network accelerators are used, then cost is reduced, but gateway functionalities (LIN/CAN/FlexRay over Ethernet) are not supported and performance requirements are not met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple protocol handling capabilities (Ethernet, LIN, CAN, FlexRay) into a single network accelerator device, integrating gateway functionalities directly into the hardware architecture to support protocol conversion and multilayer routing without requiring separate dedicated devices for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The network accelerator is designed with universal multi-functionality to handle diverse automotive protocols and gateway operations through configurable IP cores that can be adapted to different protocol requirements and application scenarios
2Productivity
If high-end configurations with multiple MAC Ethernet ports at high-speed rates are implemented, then bandwidth and performance are improved, but area and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network accelerator employs dynamic resource allocation and configurable IP cores that can be adapted to different bandwidth requirements, allowing the system to optimize performance for specific applications without permanently provisioning resources for maximum theoretical capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameterizable IP cores where key parameters such as port speed, number of ports, and buffer sizes can be configured to match specific application requirements, enabling area and power optimization by adjusting these parameters rather than designing for worst-case scenarios
3Productivity
If high-speed Ethernet ports are implemented, then bandwidth is improved, but latency and quality of service requirements become harder to meet
Solution Approach 1:
The network accelerator implements segmented packet processing with dedicated hardware queues and buffers for different traffic classes, allowing simultaneous handling of multiple packets at different processing stages without blocking, thereby reducing latency while maintaining high throughput
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate buffering and priority queuing mechanisms that act as mediators between high-speed Ethernet interfaces and the processing logic, allowing packets to be staged and prioritized to minimize latency for time-sensitive traffic while maintaining overall bandwidth efficiency
Data Source
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AI summary
A system (1000), for use in providing MAC/router/switch/gateway features in an on-board communication network in a vehicle, for instance, comprises: media access control, MAC controllers (1001) configured to provide a MAC port layer controlling exchange of information over a data link (Ethernet/CAN/LIN), virtual machine, VM bridge blocks (1004) configured to provide a MAC frame layer interfacing with System-on-Chip, SoC virtual machines, VMs, a software, SW Ethernet port (1005) configured to receive from a host programming/configuration information for the system (1000), a local memory controller (1007) configured to facilitate the MAC controllers (1001), the VM bridge blocks and the SW Ethernet port (1005) in co-operating with a local memory (LMEM), and queue handlers (1006A, 1006B and 1006C) configured to provide queue management for the MAC controllers (1001), the VM bridge blocks (1004) and the SW Ethernet port (1005), during co-operation with the local memory (LMEM) via the local memory controller (1007).