Methods and apparatus for data transfer between source and destination modules using a ready signal

A method of transferring n words, n being an integer greater than 1 (one), from a source module to a destination module on a bus, comprising the steps of;

• generating a clock signal;
• delivering said n words one by one in sequence from said source module to said bus, each word being delivered within one respective period of said clock signal;
• receiving said n words from said bus by said destination module, each word being received within one respective period of said clock signal;
• and
• for each word W of the first n-1 words, generating, during the respective period during which the word W is delivered to said bus, a signal indicating to said source module whether to deliver, during a predetermined subsequent period, the next word to said bus.

A system comprising;

• three modules M1, M2 and M3;
• a bus for transferring data from said module M1 to either one, but not both, of said modules M2 and M3 in a non-broadcast operation and for transferring data from said module M1 to both modules M2 and M3 in a broadcast operation;
• and
• clock means for providing a clock signal to said system to synchronize signals on said bus;
• wherein said module M1 is capable of delivering to said bus one word of data per period of said clock signal during at least two successive periods of said clock signal;
• wherein each of said modules M2 and M3 is capable of receiving from said bus one word of data per period of said clock signal during at least two successive periods of said clock signal;
• and
• wherein, when said module M1 delivers a word to said bus during a clock period T1 in a broadcast operation, modules M2 and M3 each generate, during said period T1, a signal indicating to said module M1 whether both modules M2 and M3 are ready for said module M1 to deliver, during a clock period T2 following T1, a word to said bus.