Virtual GPIO Multi-Mode Modulation for Low-Pin IPC
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing GPIO architectures require a large number of pins for inter-processor communication (IPC), leading to increased manufacturing costs and limited availability for other system-level peripheral interfaces, and existing digital signaling protocols do not efficiently reduce power consumption or enhance throughput.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid virtual GPIO architecture that combines GPIO signals and messaging signals, using a finite state machine to serialize and transmit signals over a single pair of pins, employing phase-encoded pulse-width-modulated symbols for increased throughput and reduced power consumption without requiring external clock pins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional GPIO architecture is used for inter-processor communication, then each symmetric sideband signal requires two GPIO pins (one for transmit, one for receive), but this leads to excessive pin count and increased manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple GPIO signals into a single communication channel by implementing a virtual GPIO interface that multiplexes multiple logical GPIO pins over a single physical pin pair. This allows multiple symmetric sideband signals to share the same transmit and receive pins, dramatically reducing the total pin count required for inter-processor communication while maintaining the functionality of individual GPIO signals through time-division or code-division multiplexing techniques
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal communication interface that can handle multiple different signal types (symmetric sideband signals, asymmetric signals, messaging signals) over a single pin pair. The virtual GPIO architecture provides multi-functionality by allowing the same physical pins to serve multiple logical purposes through software configuration and protocol layering, eliminating the need for dedicated pins for each signal type
2Productivity
If more GPIO pins are allocated for IPC communication, then inter-processor communication capability is enhanced, but GPIO availability for other system-level peripheral interfaces is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple IPC communication channels into a single virtual GPIO interface that operates over one physical pin pair. This consolidation allows high-speed inter-processor communication to occur without consuming multiple physical GPIO pins, thereby preserving GPIO availability for peripheral interfaces while maintaining enhanced IPC throughput through efficient multiplexing and protocol optimization
3Device complexity
If traditional digital signaling protocols are used, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but power consumption is high and throughput is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the signaling parameters by implementing multi-level voltage signaling (beyond traditional binary high/low) to encode multiple bits per symbol. This allows higher throughput by transmitting more data in each clock cycle while maintaining protocol simplicity through software-based encoding and decoding. The system also dynamically adjusts signaling parameters such as voltage levels and timing to optimize for either throughput or power consumption based on operational conditions
4Loss of energy
If run length encoding is applied to reduce power consumption, then some compression is achieved, but fixed and predictable throughput enhancement is not guaranteed due to data randomness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing deterministic compression algorithms and pre-defined encoding schemes that guarantee minimum compression ratios regardless of data randomness. The system uses techniques such as delta encoding, run-length encoding with fallback mechanisms, and adaptive compression that ensure predictable throughput enhancement while reducing power consumption through minimized signal transitions
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The hybrid virtual GPIO architecture significantly reduces the number of pins needed, doubles the throughput of traditional digital signaling, and decreases power consumption while maintaining simplicity and compatibility with traditional digital signaling techniques.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitter that transmits phase-encoded pulse-width-modulated symbols
Implementation Method 2
phase-encoded pulse-width-modulated symbols
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-modulation scheme is provided that combines pulse-width modulation and phase modulation to transmit a plurality of GPIO signals as virtual GPIO signals.