Multipoint interface shortest pulse width priority resolution

An apparatus, comprising:

• means for contending for control of a communications link by driving a data signal to a first voltage level;
• means for monitoring the data signal and a clock signal for a first period of time;
• means for yielding control of the communications link if the voltage of the data signal or the clock signal is not at the first voltage level upon expiration of the first period of time;
• means for asserting control over the communications link by driving the data signal to a second voltage level if the voltages of the data signal and the clock signal are at the first voltage level upon expiration of the first period of time;
• and
• means for transmitting a message on the communications after asserting control of the communications link,
• wherein the first period of time has a duration corresponding to a priority of the message.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a processing circuit configured to:
• contend for control of a communications link by driving a data signal to a first voltage level;
• monitor the data signal and a clock signal for a first period of time;
• yield control of the communications link if the voltage of the data signal or the clock signal is not at the first voltage level upon expiration of the first period of time;
• assert control over the communications link by driving the data signal to a second voltage level if the voltages of the data signal and the clock signal are at the first voltage level upon expiration of the first period of time;
• and
• transmit a message on the communications after asserting control of the communications link,
• wherein the first period of time has a duration corresponding to a priority of the message.

A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon, which when executed by at least one processing circuit cause the at least one processing circuit to:

• contend for control of a communications link by driving a data signal to a first voltage level;
• monitor the data signal and a clock signal for a first period of time;
• yield control of the communications link if the voltage of the data signal or the clock signal is not at the first voltage level upon expiration of the first period of time;
• assert control over the communications link by driving the data signal to a second voltage level if the voltages of the data signal and the clock signal are at the first voltage level upon expiration of the first period of time;
• and
• transmit a message on the communications after asserting control of the communications link,
• wherein the first period of time has a duration corresponding to a priority of the message.