Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/ – Intrasystem connection – Bus access regulation
Reexamination Certificate
1997-09-30
2001-05-08
Beausoleil, Robert (Department: 2181)
Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/
Intrasystem connection
Bus access regulation
C710S107000, C710S062000, C710S063000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06230226
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a data processing system. More specifically, the invention relates to integration of hub and function endpoints on a single chip USB microcontroller within a Universal Serial Bus (USB) topology.
(2) Related Art
The Universal Serial Bus (USB) is a high-speed serial bus following a protocol defined in Universal Serial Bus Specification, Version 1.0 (USB Spec). Modification of this specification can be expected from time to time. The USB provides a standardized approach for peripheral interconnection with a host computer. The USB is set up in a tiered topology with a host on the top tier and USB hubs and functions on subsequent tiers. Each USB device, whether it be a hub or a function, has associated therewith a serial interface engine (SIE) which provides an interface between a backend interface and the transceiver which transmits or receives signals across the serial line. The backend interface manages the data transacted over the USB line.
The USB Spec defines a compound device to be a single physical device that combines one or more functions with a hub in a single package. One possible compound device is created using system level integration having functions implemented on the same board as the hub and always attached to the hub. This is a multi-chip solution including one hub chip and one or more function chips.
In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to be able to produce a compound device having both hub and function endpoints on a single chip.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A system and apparatus combining a hub and a function as a single chip compound device is disclosed. A single serial interface engine (SIE) is shared between a hub endpoint and a function endpoint. The hub endpoint and function endpoint being integrated on a single chip. A single backend interface is coupled between the SIE and the endpoints. The backend interface selects which of the hub endpoints or the function endpoints can access the shared SIE at any time period.
In one embodiment, a first address is associated with the hub and a second address is associated with the function. The backend interface selects between the hub and function by comparing a translated address received from the SIE with each of the first address and the second address. The result of the comparisons via suitable combinational logic serves as a select signal for a multiplexer between the hub/function and the SIE.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5675813 (1997-10-01), Holmdahl
patent: 5778218 (1998-07-01), Gulick
patent: 5784581 (1998-07-01), Hannah
patent: 5799196 (1998-08-01), Flannery
patent: 5818948 (1998-10-01), Gulick
patent: 5835791 (1998-11-01), Goff et al.
patent: 5871368 (1999-02-01), Erdner et al.
patent: 5884086 (1999-03-01), Amoni et al.
patent: 5890015 (1999-03-01), Garney et al.
patent: 5974486 (1999-10-01), Siddappa
Hu King Seng
Liew Vui Yong
Moore Bruce
Ohe Thomas
Beausoleil Robert
Blakely , Sokoloff, Taylor & Zafman LLP
Intel Corporation
Phan Raymond N
LandOfFree
Compound device implementing hub and function endpoints on a... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Compound device implementing hub and function endpoints on a..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Compound device implementing hub and function endpoints on a... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2438042