Methods and apparatus for providing direct memory access control

A method of providing complex data access patterns for accessing the memory elements of multiple processing elements (PEs) in a DMA controller, the method comprising the steps of:

• defining a PE memory address comprising three address components, a PE virtual ID (VID), a base value and an index value;
• assigning each address component to one of a number of nested logical loops, an inner, a middle and an outer logical loop;
• updating address components by selecting new values for the address components;
• indicating each logical loop's exit condition;
• and
• initializing address components upon reaching a loop exit condition.

A system for providing complex data access patterns for accessing the memory elements of multiple processing elements (PEs) in a DMA controller, the system comprising:

• means for defining a PE memory address comprising three address components, a PE virtual ID (VID), a base value and an index value;
• means for assigning each address component to one of a number of nested logical loops, an inner, a middle and an outer logical loop;
• means for updating address components by selecting new values for the address components;
• means for indicating each logical loop's exit condition;
• and
• means for initializing address components upon reaching a loop exit condition.