Flexible Connection Scheme Between Multiple Masters and Slaves

A switching circuit for connected a first plurality of master devices to second plurality of slave devices less than the first plurality comprising:

• a first crossbar switching network connected to a first subset of master devices including
• a first set of decoders, each of said first set of decoders connected to a corresponding one of said first subset of master devices, each decoder receiving an access request from said corresponding master device including a target address and determining a target slave device corresponding to said target address, and
• a first set of at least two arbitration units, each arbitration unit selectively connected to at least one of said first set of decoders, each arbitration unit receiving decoded access requests from said selectively connected decoders and granting access to a corresponding intermediate point to only one requesting master device;
• and
• a second crossbar switching network including
• a second set of decoders, each of said second set of decoders connected to a corresponding intermediate point, each decoder receiving an access request from said corresponding intermediate point including a target address and determining a target slave device corresponding to said target address,
• a third set of decoders, each of said third set of decoders connected to a corresponding one of a second subset of master devices distinct from said first subset of master devices, each decoder receiving an access request from said corresponding master device including a target address and determining a target slave device corresponding to said target address, and
• a second set of at least three arbitration units, each arbitration unit connected to each of said first set of decoders and said second set of decoders, each arbitration unit receiving decoded access requests from said connected decoders and granting access to a corresponding slave device to only one requesting master device.