Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support – Digital data processing system initialization or configuration
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-25
2001-06-05
Lee, Thomas (Department: 2182)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support
Digital data processing system initialization or configuration
C713S100000, C710S020000, C712S241000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06243810
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to integrated circuits having one or more configuration registers. More particularly, the present invention relates to communicating signals, such as configuration signals, throughout integrated circuit chips.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many electronic systems, such as computer systems, have devices that are dynamically configurable. For example, a chip set can be configured by a processor based on the capabilities of the associated computer system. Other devices within a computer system and other electronic systems can also be dynamically configured.
Typical configuration sequences include one or more operations that have configuration words and/or configuration data. The configuration word(s) and data are received by the device being configured and distributed to one or more local configuration registers. Because a device can have multiple local configuration registers that receive configuration word(s) and configuration data, the various local configuration registers can complete the configuration process at different times. If a device continues normal operation after receiving the configuration sequence, different portions of the device can operate with different configurations, which can result in an operating error.
What is needed is a method and apparatus that allows operations subsequent to a configuration sequence to be performed after the various local configuration registers are properly configured.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A method and apparatus for communicating configuration sequences throughout one or more integrated circuit chips is described. A device receiving a configuration operation determines whether the operation has a configuration word. In one embodiment subsequent operations are caused to retry until the configuration word is communicated to one or more target registers. Configuration data associated with the configuration word is received. Subsequent operations are blocked for a predetermined period of time.
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Clohset Steven
Khandekar Narendra N.
Blakely , Sokoloff, Taylor & Zafman LLP
Intel Corporation
Lee Thomas
Mai Ri Jue
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