Method and processing interface for transferring data between host systems and a packetized processing system
AssigneeMotorola, Inc.
InventorsDavid Michael Harrison, Alison Ii, Dadario McCutcheon
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Interface processor (IP)(50) sends and receives data units to and from an external host and a processor. The IP is capable of simultaneous, full duplex operation via high speed serial and parallel interfaces. The IP provides a highly flexible and configurable interface which is capable of interfacing to a variety of systems with minimal external hardware. The IP also provides a method of converting received data into data packets. The IP provides buffering of multiple data packets for use in systems having "bursty" data traffic. The IP has a memory expansion capability allowing for changeable buffer capacities.
Claims21
In a processing system embodied within a single integrated circuit substrate, a method of converting unformatted data received from an external source to data units of a predetermined format for subsequent processing by one of a plurality of internal processing elements of the processing system, the processing system including an internal controller and a programmable interface processing element that includes at least one parallel interface and at least one serial interface, a format converter associated with each interface, a random access memory (RAM), and a memory arbitrator, wherein each data unit is comprised of a plurality of data words of a predetermined length, each data unit including a header data word, a command data word and a plurality of parameter data words, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving configuration data from the internal controller for configuring one of the interfaces, the configuration data containing information for the header and command data words of associated data units, the configuration data identifying an amount of memory space to be allocated to the one interface in the RAM;
- programming the format converter associated with the one interface with said configuration data;
- receiving the unformatted data from the external source through a first one of the interfaces;
- creating the plurality of parameter data words by transferring said unformatted data to said RAM in data words, each parameter data word having said predetermined length;
- and
- creating a header data word and transferring the header data word to said RAM, said header data word identifying a number of said data words comprising the associated data unit, the header data word identifying one of the plurality of internal processing elements of the processing system for processing the associated data word and a channel program to be used by the identified internal processing element for processing the data unit;
- creating a command data word associated with the data unit, the command data word at least identifying a function to be executed by the channel program;
- and
- when the data unit is complete, transferring each data word of the data unit to the identified internal processing element.
A programmable interface processing element embodied within a single integrated circuit substrate, the substrate embodying a processing system that comprises the programmable interface processing system, a plurality of internal processing elements and an internal controller, the programmable interface processing element comprising:
- a plurality of interfaces for receiving unformatted data from a source external to the integrated circuit die
- a format converter associated with each interface, at least one format converter being programmed in accordance with configuration data from the internal controller for receipt of the unformatted data, and converting the unformatted data to data units of a predetermined format, each data unit comprised of a plurality of data words of a predetermined length including a header data word, command data word and a plurality of parameter data words;
- a random access memory (RAM) for storing data words and having portions allocated to the one interface in accordance with said configuration data;
- and
- a memory arbitrator for transferring data words from the format converter to said RAM, and transferring completed data units from the RAM to an identified one of the internal processing elements,
- wherein the format converter creates the plurality of parameter data words by converting the unformatted data into data words of the predetermined length, creates the header data word and command data word from the configuration data and causes the memory arbitrator to transfer the parameter data words, header data word and command data word to the RAM to create a data unit, the header word identifying the one internal processing elements and a channel program for use by the identified internal processing element for processing the data unit, the command data word identifying a function to be executed by the channel program.
A integrated processing system on a substrate comprising:
- a plurality of internal processing elements;
- an interface processing element;
- and
- a controller configured coupled to the interface processing element and the internal processing elements, the controller configured to provide configuration data to the interface processing element, the configuration data identifying one of the internal processing elements, a channel program, and a function for subsequent processing of data units,
- wherein the interface processing element comprises:
- a format converter for creating data units of a predetermined format, each data unit comprising parameter data words created from unformatted data received from an external source, and a header word and a control data word created from the configuration data;
- a memory for storing the data words created by the format converter;
- and
- a memory arbitrator for transferring data words from the format converter to the memory and notifying the controller when the data unit is completed, each data unit comprising the header and command data word and a plurality of parameter data words.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.