Multiplex communications – Pathfinding or routing – Store and forward
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-30
2002-10-29
Vu, Huy D. (Department: 2665)
Multiplex communications
Pathfinding or routing
Store and forward
C370S413000, C712S225000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06473435
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is related to transferring packets to a memory so the packets cannot stagnate. More specifically, the present invention is related to transferring packets to a memory from an accumulation mechanism which prevents any packet in the accumulation mechanism from remaining indefinitely in the accumulation mechanism.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the Wide TDM architecture of the Memory Controller, caches are used to accumulate large pieces of data going to the same destination. These large pieces of data allow efficient use of a wide shared memory while keeping data going to the same destination together. A potential problem arises in the case that a continuous stream of data is not flowing to guarantee that each cache is able to accumulate enough data to form an entire cache word. A switch which stripes data onto multiple fabrics and sends parity data to another fabric has been described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/333,450, incorporated by reference herein. See also U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/293,563 which describes a wide memory TDM switching system, incorporated by reference herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to an apparatus for transferring packets. The apparatus comprises a memory. The apparatus comprises an accumulation mechanism in which packets are stored until they are to be placed in the memory. The accumulation mechanism is connected to the memory. The apparatus comprises a controller connected to the memory and the accumulation mechanism which controls when packets in the accumulation mechanism are transferred to the memory. The controller preventing any packet in the accumulation mechanism from remaining in the accumulation mechanism indefinitely.
The present invention pertains to a method for transferring packets. The method comprises the steps of receiving packets at an accumulation mechanism. Then there is the step of controlling when packets in the accumulation mechanism are transferred to a memory by a controller. Next there is the step of preventing with the controller any packet in the accumulation mechanism from remaining in the accumulation mechanism indefinitely. Then there is the step of transferring packets from the accumulation mechanism to a memory.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5048081 (1991-09-01), Gavaras et al.
patent: 5461614 (1995-10-01), Lindholm
patent: 5587997 (1996-12-01), Jacobson
patent: 5600629 (1997-02-01), Van Daele et al.
patent: 5640389 (1997-06-01), Masaki et al.
patent: 5940596 (1999-08-01), Rajan et al.
Hook Joseph A.
Zhou Fan
Ho Duc
Marconi Communications Inc.
Schwartz Ansel M.
Vu Huy D.
LandOfFree
Method and apparatus for transferring packets to a memory does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method and apparatus for transferring packets to a memory, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and apparatus for transferring packets to a memory will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2937044