System and method for efficiently performing a data transfer operation

A method for transferring data in an electronic system, comprising the steps of:

• creating a DMA structure in a memory device for subsequent access by a DMA engine;
• programming control registers of said DMA engine with a processor to thereby facilitate efficiently performing a data transfer operation;
• and
• performing said data transfer operation by utilizing said DMA engine to thereby transfer said data between a peripheral device and said memory device.

An apparatus for transferring data in an electronic system, comprising:

• means for creating a DMA structure in a memory device for subsequent access by a DMA engine;
• means for programming control registers of said DMA engine to thereby facilitate efficiently performing a data transfer operation;
• and
• means for performing said data transfer operation to thereby transfer said data between a peripheral device and said memory device.

A method for performing a DMA data transfer procedure in an electronic system, comprising the steps of:

• creating a DMA structure in a block transfer memory by utilizing a central processing unit, said DMA structure including a linked-list of command structures that each include command information for performing said DMA data transfer procedure;
• programming one or more local control registers of a DMA engine with said central processing unit in response to a DMA data transfer requirement, said local control registers including a DMA start register and at least one of a DMA halt/resume register, a DMA clear interrupt register, a DMA link list address register, and a DMA status register;
• copying at least one of said command structures from said block transfer memory into one or more local command registers that are coupled to said DMA engine;
• performing said DMA data transfer operation with said DMA engine by referencing said local control registers and said local command registers;
• detecting a stop condition corresponding to said DMA data transfer operation;
• stopping said DMA data transfer operation by utilizing said DMA engine;
• and
• notifying said central processing unit regarding said stop condition of said DMA data transfer operation.