Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/ – Intrasystem connection – Bus access regulation
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-30
2001-06-26
Ray, Gopal C. (Department: 2181)
Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/
Intrasystem connection
Bus access regulation
C710S113000, C710S240000, C370S462000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06253270
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to the field of computer systems. More particularly, this invention pertains to the field of arbitrating ownership of an interface between devices in a computer system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Prior computer systems typically rely on standardized busses, such as the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, to allow computer system chipset components to communicate one with another. For example, a transaction originating at a processor and intended for a disk drive might first be delivered to a first chipset component that serves as an intermediary between the processor bus and a PCI bus. The first chipset component would then deliver the transaction over the PCI bus to a second system chipset component which would then deliver the transaction to the disk drive.
Busses such as the PCI bus also provide for communication with other computer system devices such as graphics controllers and network adapters. Because busses such as the PCI bus must interface with a variety of component types, each with varying requirements, they are not necessarily optimized for allowing communication between chipset components. Further, chipset manufacturers who rely on standardized busses such as the PCI bus must adhere to bus standards in order to ensure compatibility with other components, and are not at liberty to make substantial changes in how the chipset components communicate with each other. Another issue that faces chipset component manufacturers in designing and manufacturing chipset components is the need to conform to standardized supply and signaling voltages when relying on busses such as PCI for communication between chipset components, thereby locking the manufacturers into certain design practices and manufacturing technologies.
Prior computer systems that rely on standardized busses such as PCI for communication between chipset components also typically have a centralized arbitration scheme that may not provide optimized performance for transactions between two particular components, since the centralized arbiter must be able to handle transaction requests from a number of components. Further, standardized busses such as PCI require separate signals for arbitration and data transfer framing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A method and apparatus for arbitrating ownership of an interface between hub agents in a computer system is disclosed. The apparatus includes a data path input/output unit to communicate with a data path and an arbitration circuit. The arbitration unit includes a least recently serviced status tracking circuit, an arbitration signal output circuit to output a first request signal, and an arbitration signal input circuit to receive a second request signal. The arbitration unit grants ownership of the data path to the data path input/output unit when the first request signal is asserted if the second request signal is not asserted.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5313591 (1994-05-01), Averill
patent: 5901294 (1999-05-01), Tran et al.
patent: 6003102 (1999-12-01), Aybay et al.
Ajanovic Jasmin
Harriman David J.
Intel Corporation
Ray Gopal C.
Wells Calvin
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