Miscellaneous active electrical nonlinear devices – circuits – and – Signal converting – shaping – or generating – Synchronizing
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-27
2001-12-04
Callahan, Timothy P. (Department: 2816)
Miscellaneous active electrical nonlinear devices, circuits, and
Signal converting, shaping, or generating
Synchronizing
C377S122000, C377S124000, C377S044000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06326824
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a timing synchronizing system including a pilot device for sending out a synchronizing signal and a plurality of other devices which operate at the same operation timing as the pilot device on the basis of the synchronizing signal received from the pilot device, the devices used in the timing synchronizing system, and a timing synchronizing method. In particular, this invention relates to a timing synchronizing system, devices used in the timing synchronizing system, and a timing synchronizing method which are capable of ensuring the synchronization of operation timing of respective devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the configuration of conventional computer systems, a plurality of LSIs and so on are mounted on a mother board. In many cases, it becomes necessary to reset these LSIs simultaneously or conduct some setting on these LSIs simultaneously. In such computer systems, therefore, respective LSIs are connected to a system synchronizing signal supply unit, which supplies a system synchronizing signal, in parallel by signal wires. By utilizing the system synchronizing signal transmitted via the signal wires, respective LSIs ensure the synchronization of operation timing.
The distance between the system synchronizing signal supply unit and each LSI differs depending upon the position where the LSI is disposed. If these LSIs are connected simply, therefore, the system synchronizing signal is delayed by the signal wire. As a result, there occurs discrepancy in operation timing.
In order to prevent the transmission delay of the synchronizing signal caused by the disposition position of such LSIs, therefore, line lengths of respective signal wires are adjusted in the prior art so that line lengths of signal wires as far as respective LSIs may become equal.
If the line lengths of signal wires are adjusted as in the prior art, however, the line length of the signal wire as far as each LSI must be made equal to the longest line length. This results in a problem of an increased amount of signal wire and complicated disposition of signal wires.
Especially, if the system scale becomes large and the synchronization of operation timing of devices disposed so as to extend over a plurality of casings must be maintained, then the line length becomes very long and such a situation cannot be coped with mere line length adjustment.
In the case where a plurality of devices (such s LSIs) operate at the same operation timing, therefore, how to ensure the synchronization of such operation timing becomes an extremely important problem.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a timing synchronizing system, integrated circuits, a timing synchronizing method, and a computer-readable recording medium having a program recorded thereon to cause the method to be executed on a computer, which makes it possible to ensure the synchronization of operation timing among a plurality of devices activated at the same operation timing.
According to one aspect of the present invention, counting by a first counting unit is started when the pilot device sends a synchronizing signal, and a second counting unit is made to conduct counting from a predetermined initial value when a device has received the synchronizing signal from the pilot device. As a result, it becomes possible to synchronize the operation timing of the pilot device and the devices efficiently.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a device sends out a synchronizing signal as a pilot device and starts counting using a counting unit, if the device has received a predetermined pilot device designation order. When the device has accepted a synchronizing signal, the device causes the counting unit to conduct counting from a predetermined initial value. As a result, the devices can be used as both the pilot device and ordinary devices.
Further, if the device has received the synchronizing signal, the device functions as the ordinary device and sets an initial value corresponding to a transmission delay value of the synchronizing signal as far as a transmission source device, in the counting unit. After setting the initial value, the device starts counting operation using the counting unit. As a result, it becomes possible to synchronize the operation timing of the devices efficiently while taking into consideration the transmission delay value of the synchronizing signal between a transmission source device and the device.
Further, the device functions as the ordinary device and starts operation corresponding to a trigger, if the device receives the trigger and if the count value of the counting unit is a predetermined value. As a result, devices can be made to function simultaneously in response to a trigger.
Further, the device sends out the synchronizing signal and effects control so as to cause the counting unit to conduct count from a predetermined initial value, if the device receives a predetermined pilot device designation order. As a result, desired counting control responsive to a pilot device designation order can be effected.
Further, the device outputs the trigger corresponding to operation if the device receives a pilot device designation order and a predetermined operation start order. As a result, it is possible to output a trigger only when two conditions, i.e., receipt of the pilot device designation order and receipt of the operation start order, are satisfied.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, counting by a first counting unit is started when a pilot device sends a synchronizing signal to other devices. When a device has received the synchronizing signal from the pilot device, a second counting unit is made to conduct counting from a predetermined initial value. As a result, the operation timing of the pilot device and the other devices can be synchronized efficiently.
Other objects and features of this invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4274107 (1981-06-01), Tamura et al.
patent: 4374358 (1983-02-01), Hirose
patent: 5298798 (1994-03-01), Furumiya
patent: 5559765 (1996-09-01), Andou
patent: 6049358 (2000-04-01), Jun
patent: 7-56862A (1995-03-01), None
patent: 7-230440A (1995-08-01), None
patent: 11-46189A (1999-02-01), None
Funaki Jun
Hosoe Koji
Numata Michio
Shimizu Toshiyuki
Callahan Timothy P.
Fujitsu Limited
Luu An T.
Staas & Halsey , LLP
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