abs-tudelft / abs-tudelft/tydi

It is not clear whether "stai" and "endi" signals are significant when "strb" is low.

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Descripción

## Issue

While https://abs-tudelft.github.io/tydi/specification/physical.html#data-signal-description indicates that `stai` and `endi` are redundant when C≥7 (which adds support for a per-lane `strb` (strobe) signal), it is not clear whether `stai` and `endi` are significant when `strb` is low, although this is implied.

At lower complexities (C<7) the `strb` signal still exists, but only as a single bit to indicate that the entire transfer's data is inactive.

For a concrete example, it is unclear what values `stai` and `endi` should have when transferring an "empty sequence".

## Assumed/Suggested Fix

`stai` and `endi` are insignificant when the `strb` of that index's data lane is driven low. (Which at C < 7, means that `stai` and `endi` are insignificant altogether when `strb='0'`.)

## Note/Potential Issue

Another potential issue might arise from a lack of clarity around `stai` and `endi` when C≥7. While the above `data` signal specification indicates that

> while a source that desires individual control over the lanes and thus has C≥7 would probably always drive `endi` to N−1 and `stai` to 0, a sink with complexity C≥7 still needs to accept input from sources that do use `endi` and `stai`.

This does not clarify whether a source with C≥7 _should_ employ `endi` and `stai` in such a way.

In the event that a source transfers
`stai: 0, endi: 0, strb: 11010`
do the `stai` and `endi` signals take precedence? (I.e., only lane 0 is truly active.)

Now, what about:
`stai: 0, endi: 0, strb: 01010`
Since lane 0 is now inactive, taking my suggested fix, `stai` and `endi` are insignificant and lanes 1 and 3 are active.

Hence, I propose specifying that
"`stai` and `endi` are only significant when _all_ `strb` bits are driven high"
As this still allows for sources with C<7 to be compatible with sinks with C≥7, but does not allow for sources with C≥7 to create confusing transfers.

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Línea de trabajo

The issue is about clarifying the Tydi physical layer specification, specifically the interaction of 'stai', 'endi', and 'strb' signals. Review the specification document at https://abs-tudelft.github.io/tydi/specification/physical.html#data-signal-description and the related source code that defines these signals. The goal is to propose precise wording for the specification to resolve the ambiguity described.

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Evaluación

Área
documentation
Tipo de issue
Documentación
Dificultad
3/5
Tiempo estimado
1-2 días
Estado de actividad
Estancado
Claridad
Bastante claro
Aptitud para principiantes
45/100

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