Methods and structure for dynamic modifications to arbitration for a shared resource
AssigneeLSI Logic Corporation
InventorRobert W. Moss
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and structure for enhanced flexibility in bus arbitration without requiring modification to a standard arbiter circuit. Parameters for determining the priority of each channel involved in the arbitration are provided to a computational element to apply predicate functions thereto and thereby generate an index value. The index value is then used to access the lookup table for that channel to determine the present priority of the channel in an arbitration structure. The use of a lookup table permits simple modification to the arbitration structure for a particular application. The predicate evaluation of selected parameters further enhances flexibility in adapting the arbitration structure to the requirements of a particular application.
Claims20
In a system having a shared resource shared by multiple channels, an apparatus comprising:
- an index value generator associated with each channel of said multiple channels for determining an index value from input signals associated with said system;
- a lookup table associated with said each channel and coupled to said index value generator for generating an arbitration priority value associated with said index value;
- and
- an arbiter coupled to each said lookup table associated with said each channel to arbitrate for control of said shared resource among said multiple channels in accordance with the arbitration priority values generated by each said lookup table.
A system comprising:
- a shared resource;
- a plurality of channels;
- an arbiter coupled to each of said plurality of channels and coupled to said shared resource to coordinate access by said plurality of channels to said shared resource wherein said arbiter includes:
- a predicate computation element associated with each channel of said plurality of channels for determining an index value for said each channel based on attributes of said system;
- and
- a channel selection element coupled to each said predicate computation element to select a next channel to be granted access to said shared resource based on said index value for said each channel.
In a system having an arbiter coupling a plurality of channels to a shared resource to coordinate access to said shared resource by said plurality of channels, a method for improved flexibility in arbitration comprising the steps of:
- evaluating at least one attribute of said system;
- determining an index value for each channel of said plurality of channels according to a predicate function of said at least one attribute;
- and
- selecting a next channel of said plurality of channels to receive access to said shared resource in accordance with each said index value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.