Virtualizable Hardware-Software Interface for Forward-Compatible Drivers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies lack flexibility in designing virtualizable and forward-compatible device hardware-software interfaces that can function seamlessly with both current and new devices, limiting their ability to adapt to evolving hardware and software environments.
Innovation Solution
A virtualizable and forward-compatible device-driver/function-driver interface is implemented using a combined hardware firmware device, which includes a command queue, actions table, and event queues to dynamically manage permissions and execute commands, allowing for fine-grained virtualization and compatibility with new devices without modifying existing drivers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a device driver interface is designed for current devices, then it works correctly with existing hardware, but it cannot function with newer devices that are not yet designed
Solution Approach 1:
The interface design incorporates dynamic version detection and adaptive command processing. The device driver automatically detects the device version and adjusts its behavior accordingly, allowing the same interface to work with both current and future device versions without modification. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between maintaining interface stability and achieving forward compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface uses version parameters and capability flags to differentiate between device generations. By changing interface parameters based on detected device capabilities rather than restructuring the entire interface, the system maintains stability for existing devices while enabling support for new devices through parameter adjustments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If extensive infrastructures, hypervisors, and emulators are employed for virtualization, then virtualized device drivers can be implemented, but the system complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the virtualization management functionality directly into the device driver itself, removing the need for external hypervisors or emulators. The device driver contains built-in logic to handle virtualization scenarios, which simplifies the overall system architecture by eliminating complex infrastructure components while maintaining virtualization capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The device driver is designed with multi-functionality to handle both physical and virtualized device scenarios without requiring separate infrastructure. A single unified driver interface supports multiple operating modes including direct hardware access and virtualized environments, reducing system complexity by consolidating functionality rather than requiring separate specialized components.
3Ease of operation
If device drivers are written specifically for each device with fixed interfaces, then they provide precise control for current devices, but they lack flexibility to adapt to evolving hardware and software environments
Solution Approach 1:
The interface incorporates dynamic capability detection and adaptive command selection. Instead of fixed interfaces, the device driver dynamically determines the appropriate interface version and command set based on the actual device capabilities, providing precise control for current devices while automatically adapting to new device types and environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface is segmented into modular components with version identifiers and capability flags. This segmentation allows the system to select and combine only the necessary interface elements for each specific device, maintaining precise control where needed while providing flexibility to adapt to different hardware and software environments through selective component usage.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for virtualizable, forward-compatible hardware-software interfaces. Embodiments may be used in a driver whether it is a physical driver or a virtual driver. Commands are queued from the driver and fetched to the device. An actions table is accessed to determine if drivers are permitted to perform commands. Events are queued for the drivers responsive to commands. If drivers are not permitted to perform a command, device firmware may forward the command to a privileged driver to perform the required command. If a driver is only permitted to perform a command with assistance the command is forwarded for corrections and execution. If a command is to be dropped, a completion event may be queued as if the command had executed. Drivers may have no indication of which actions were taken. The actions table may be changed for hardware/software modifications or dynamically according to configuration changes.