Method and apparatus for controlling configuration memory contexts of processing elements in a network of multiple context processing elements

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing local control of processing elements in a network of multiple context processing element are provided. A multiple context processing element is configured to store a number of configuration memory contexts. This multiple context processing element maintains data of a current configuration. State information is received from at least one other multiple context processing element. At least one configuration control signal is generated in response to the state information and the data of a current configuration. One of multiple configuration memory contexts is selected in response to the configuration control signal, the selected configuration memory context controlling the multiple context processing element. Each multiple context processing element in the networked array of multiple context processing elements has an assigned physical and virtual identification. Data is transmitted to at least one of the multiple context processing elements of the array, the data comprising control data, configuration data, an address mask, and a destination identification. The transmitted address mask is applied to either the physical or virtual identification and to a destination identification. The masked physical or virtual identification is compared to the masked destination identification. When the masked physical or virtual identification of a multiple context processing element matches the masked destination identification, at least one of the number of multiple context processing elements are manipulated in response to the transmitted data. Manipulation comprises selecting one of a number of configuration memory contexts to control the functioning of the multiple context processing element.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.