Structure and method of performing DMA transfers between memory

Details Structure and method of performing DMA transfers between memory Structure and method of performing DMA transfers between memory

1996-12-03

1999-02-23

Auve, Glenn A.

395308, 395281, G06F 1314

Patent

active

058753125

ABSTRACT:
A computer system (6,7) includes first and second I/O circuits (932, 934, 51, 97), first and second buses (904, 83) respectively coupled to the first and second I/O circuits (932, 934, 51, 97), a memory (106), a third bus (104) coupled to the memory (106), and first and second bus interface circuits (902, 6920) connected between the third bus (104) and the first and second buses (904, 83) respectively. A direct memory access (DMA) controller (910) is coupled to the first bus (904) and to the first bus interface circuit (902), and a serial communications circuit (7010, 6910, 7020) is connected between the DMA controller (910) and the second bus interface circuit (6920). As an example, in the present invention a single DMA controller may be used to provide DMA capability to both a notebook computer and a docking station, using an interface between the notebook computer and the docking station to transfer DMA related information between the DMA controller and a requesting device in the docking station. Other devices, systems and methods are also disclosed.

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