Electrical computers and digital processing systems: processing – Processing architecture – Microprocessor or multichip or multimodule processor having...
Utility Patent
1999-08-11
2001-01-02
Pan, Daniel H. (Department: 2783)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: processing
Processing architecture
Microprocessor or multichip or multimodule processor having...
C712S036000, C712S031000, C711S130000
Utility Patent
active
06170049
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to improved PC circuits, computer systems and methods of operating them.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Early computers required large amounts of space, occupying whole rooms. Since then minicomputers and desktop computers entered the marketplace.
Popular desktop computers have included the “Apple” (Motorola 680x0 microprocessor-based) and “IBM-compatible” (Intel or other x86 microprocessor-based) varieties, also known as personal computers (PCs) which have become very popular for office and home use. Also, high-end desk top computers called workstations based on a number of superscalar and other very-high-performance microprocessors such as the SuperSPARC microprocessor have been introduced.
In a further development, a notebook-size or palm-top computer is optionally battery powered for portable user applications. Such notebook and smaller computers challenge the art in demands for conflicting goals of miniaturization, ever higher speed, performance and flexibility, and long life between battery recharges. Also, a desktop enclosure called a docking station has the portable computer fit into the docking station, and improvements in such portable-computer/docking-station systems are desirable. However, all these systems are generally CPU-centric in the sense that the selection of the CPU determines the system's processing capabilities and add-in-cards are added to the CPU to add specific applications or functions, such as modem or multimedia. Improvements in circuits, integrated circuit devices, computer systems of all types, and methods to address all the just-mentioned challenges, among others, are desirable, as described herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Generally, and in one form of the present invention, a PC system includes a main CPU microprocessor, a file-based operating system, and a DSP microprocessor arranged so that the DSP can execute main CPU operations during time intervals in which the main CPU is otherwise occupied, thereby increasing the bandwidth of the system. This system may include multiple CPUs and/or multiple DSPs.
In another form of the present invention, a combined video/imaging system comprising a DSP microprocessor, video/audio control logic circuit and a compression/decompression circuit are both coupled to the DSP microprocessor, a main CPU microprocessor, a memory management circuit coupled to both the main CPU microprocessor and the DSP microprocessor, and a memory circuit and local bus coupling the memory circuit to the memory management circuit so that the memory circuit serves as a unified memory architecture for the DSP, main CPU, video control and de/compression circuitry and the DSP performs processing functions for both the video/audio and de/compression circuitries. In addition, software that virtualizes portions of the video/imaging functions may be added to the system.
The present invention provides a system for totally soft upgrades to PC.
The present invention provides a system which scales up in performance by bundling add-in features by way of an add-in card.
The present invention provides methodology of integrating features in the core logic for motherboard implementation.
The present invention provides full functional integration of a system on the CPU chip.
The present invention provides a system having a main CPU, a DSP, and at least one piece of application hardware reduced substantially to a physical layer only, so that the DSP virtualizes and performs the rest of the application associated with the signals mediated by the physical layer. This system may employ multiple applications and layers. The DSP may by way of example, virtualize a LAN, a video controller, image compresslon/decompression circuitry, fax, and modem.
The present invention provides an integrated circuit having a DSP core, a master/slave bus interface, and a memory circuit comprising FIFO function coupled to the master/slave interface and RAM function coupled to the DSP core.
The present invention provides an integrated circuit comprising a DSP core, a master/slave bus interface, and a memory circuit comprising FIFO function coupled to the master/slave interface and RAM function, and a single-instruction-multiple-data control circuit coupling the memory to the DSP core.
The present invention provides an integrated circuit having a DSP core, an interface circuit including a master/slave bus interface and a translation circuit, and a memory circuit comprising FIFO function coupled to the master/slave bus interface and a RAM function coupled to the translation circuit, and said DSP core is coupled to said memory and interface circuit.
The present invention provides a video controller integrated circuit having a first bus interface circuit, a display controller circuit having a display interface, and a second bus interface circuit, said display controller circuit including a bus mastering circuit coupled to said second bus interface circuit.
The present invention provides a software system having an operating system, at least one multimedia driver, an x86 object code application, a non-x86 DSP code application virtualizing a hardware application, and a DSP kernel software operable on a DSP core to perform realtime interrupt and/or DMA virtualization and/or multithreaded, multitasking operation in the DSP core in conjunction with the operating system and/or multimedia realtime events and/or causing the DSP core to perform memory transaction and/or I/O transaction functions otherwise performed by x86 operation.
The present invention provides a computing system, having a processing element, an interconnecting circuit connected to said processing element, memory circuitry connected to said processing element (or said interconnecting circuit), a multiplexed bus connected to said interconnecting circuit, and a virtualization circuit connected to said multiplexed bus for performing preselected application functions.
The present invention provides a virtualization circuit for performing preselected application functions, having a first multiplexed bus interface circuit, a second multiplexed bus interface circuit, and at least one signal processing element connected to said first and second interface circuits.
Other improved PC devices, systems and methods are also claimed.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5487173 (1996-01-01), Greiss et al.
patent: 5640490 (1997-06-01), Hansen et al.
patent: WO97/17654 (1997-05-01), None
Brady III W. James
Marshall, Jr. Robert D.
Pan Daniel H.
Telecky , Jr. Frederick J.
Texas Instruments Incorporated
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