# US 2001/0025317 A1 · Method of controlling the flow of information between senders and receivers across links being used as channels

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- Number: US 2001/0025317 A1
- Document ID: US20010025317A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 09/874,488
- Filed: 2001-06-05
- Published: 2001-09-27
- Earliest claimed: 1998-09-10
- Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation
- Inventors: Thomas A. Gregg; Kulwant M. Pandey
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20010025317A1

## CPC

- H04L 47/34: ensuring sequence integrity, e.g. using sequence numbers
- H04L 47/10: Flow control; Congestion control
- H04L 47/26: using explicit feedback to the source, e.g. choke packets
- H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M)

## Abstract

Controlling the flow of information between senders and receivers across links being used as channels. In one example, a self-timed interface link is adapted to be used as a channel. Such an interface is referred to as an integrated cluster bus. The flow control for the integrated cluster bus includes, for instance, a Data Request packet that indicates to the transmitter of data that it can now send the data; a continue indicator that specifies that more data is to follow; and a sequence indicator that is used to determine if a particular message is in proper sequence order. The integrated cluster bus does not require large data buffers and offers low latency messaging.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of controlling the flow of information across links between senders and receivers, said method comprising:
sending a request from a sender to a receiver via a link;
forwarding a data request indication from said receiver to said sender via said link in response to said request, said data request indication indicating that said receiver is prepared to receive further information from said sender;
providing, by said sender, in response to said data request indication, said further information; and
wherein said link is being used as a channel in that the link is not stopped while said receiver is preparing for said further information.

### Claim 2

A method of controlling the flow of information across links between senders and receivers, said method comprising:
including in a packet a sequence number usable in maintaining delivery order of said packet, said packet having no memory address and requiring no explicit individual response;
sending said packet from a sender to a receiver across a link; and
using said sequence number to determine if said packet is in proper order for processing by said receiver.