Methods and apparatus for forming linked list queue using chunk-based structure

Abstract

A processing system comprises processing circuitry and memory circuitry coupled to the processing circuitry. The memory circuitry is configurable to maintain at least one queue structure representing a list of data units (e.g., pointers to packets stored in a packet memory). The queue structure is partitioned into two or more blocks (e.g., chunks) wherein at least some of the blocks of the queue structure include two or more data units. Further, at least some of the blocks of the queue structure may include a pointer to a next block of the queue structure (e.g., a next chunk pointer). Given such a queue structure, the processing circuitry is configurable to address a first block of the queue structure, and then address a next block of the queue structure by setting the next block pointer of the first block to point to the next block.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.