Digital Blocks Inc

I n the world of computer engineering, data transfer efficiency is a crucial aspect of system performance. As technology evolves, new methods for data transfer are constantly being developed to ensure faster and more efficient communication between system components. Three such methods are AXI Stream DMA, AXI4 Stream DMA, and eSPI IP. In this blog, we will explore these technologies and their benefits in more detail.  AXI Stream DMA An AXI Stream Direct Memory Access (DMA) is a method of transferring data between an AXI4 Stream master and a memory-mapped AXI4 slave. The AXI Stream DMA engine allows for efficient data transfer between the master and slave by utilizing a direct memory access controller. This controller is responsible for managing data transfer between the two components, freeing up the processor for other tasks. AXI Stream DMA also has the added benefit of being able to transfer data in both directions, making it a v...

  As technology continues to advance, data transfer has become an increasingly important aspect of modern computing. Efficient data transfer is critical to the performance of many devices and systems, from high-performance computing to embedded systems. That's where   i3C Basic IP  and  AXI DMA IP s come into play.   i3C Basic IP is a communication interface standard that supports multiple data and control lines in a single interface. It is designed to streamline communication between devices, reducing the complexity and cost of system design. AXI DMA IPs, on the other hand, are Direct Memory Access (DMA) controllers that enable high-speed data transfer between memory and the various peripherals in a system. Combining i3C Basic IP and AXI DMA IPs can provide significant advantages for streamlining data transfer. One of the most significant benefits is the ability to use scatter-gather DMA, which allows data to be transferred f...

  AXI4 Stream DMA (Direct Memory Access) is a type of hardware block that is used in digital circuits and computer systems to transfer data between a peripheral device and memory without involving the main CPU. In an AXI4 Stream DMA, the peripheral device sends data to the DMA engine, which then transfers the data to the memory. Similarly, when the peripheral device needs to receive data, it sends a request to the DMA engine, which retrieves the data from memory and sends it to the peripheral device. This process allows for faster data transfers and frees up the CPU to perform other tasks. The AXI4 Stream DMA is part of the ARM Advanced Microcontroller Bus Architecture (AMBA), which is a set of interconnect protocols for creating complex SoCs (System on Chips). The AXI4 Stream DMA is designed to work with the AXI4 interconnect protocol, which is widely used in modern SoCs. The benefits of using AXI4 Stream DMA include: Faster data transfer speeds compared to ...

i3C Basic IP (Inter-Integrated Circuit Basic Intellectual Property) is a communication protocol used for connecting different electronic components and devices within a computer or other electronic system. It is an extension of the I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) protocol, which is widely used for communication between various electronic components in embedded systems.     The i3C Basic IP provides several advantages over the I2C protocol, including improved performance, better power management, and greater flexibility in addressing and controlling multiple devices in a system. It supports a wider range of data rates and has a more robust error detection and correction mechanism. Additionally, i3C Basic IP supports multiple data transactions simultaneously, allowing for more efficient data transfer between devices.   The i3C Basic IP is typically used in various embedded systems, including smartphones, tablets, and other consumer electronics, as well as in automot...

  i3C is a relatively new technology that stands for “Improved Inter-Integrated Circuit.” It is a communication interface that has been designed to improve upon the already existing I2C standard. The i3C Basic IP is the core technology that enables this improvement, and in this blog, we will explore the i3C Basic IP and its advantages. First, let’s briefly review what the I2C protocol is. I2C is a two-wire communication protocol that allows multiple devices to be connected to the same bus. It is commonly used to communicate between microcontrollers, sensors, and other low-speed peripherals. However, I2C has some limitations. For example, it only supports a single master and requires external pull-up resistors. Additionally, the I2C bus can be slow and power-hungry due to its constant polling of devices. Enter i3C. i3C is backward compatible with I2C, meaning that it can work with existing I2C devices. However, it also includes new features that improve upon...

In the world of embedded systems, efficient and fast data transfer is of utmost importance. This is where Direct Memory Access (DMA) comes into play. DMA technology allows data to be transferred directly between memory and peripherals, bypassing the need for the CPU to handle each transfer individually. This greatly speeds up the transfer process and frees up the CPU to focus on other tasks. But what if the data you need to transfer is not stored in contiguous blocks in memory? The capacity of AXI DMA scatter gather to capture data in this situation is useful. Scatter-Gather: Breaking Down Data into Smaller Blocks The scatter-gather feature of AXI DMA enables the transfer of non-contiguous blocks of data in a single transaction. Instead of transferring the data as a whole, it breaks it down into smaller, contiguous blocks and transfers them individually. This allows for a more flexible and efficient data transfer process, especially for applications that require large amounts of da...