Method and apparatus for operating an adaptive multiplexed address and data bus within a computer system
AssigneeIntel Corporation
InventorTsvika Kurts
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus, for operating a multiplexed 128-bit external bus within a computer system, includes arbitration logic that arbitrates between contending address and data requests according to the number of outstanding data and/or snoop transactions on the external bus. In response to the outcome of this arbitration, selection logic grants the external bus to either the contending address or data request. The arbitration logic may compare the number of outstanding data transactions to a predetermined data threshold number when performing the arbitration, this data threshold number being dynamically alterable by an application program or operating system so as to optimize external bus throughput under predetermined conditions.
Claims36
A method of operating a multiplexed address and data bus within a computer system, the method including:
- arbitrating between an address request and a data request contending for access to the multiplexed address and data bus according to a predetermined criteria;
- and
- granting the multiplexed address and data bus to either the address or the data request in accordance with the outcome of the arbitration.
A bus interface to be coupled to a multiplexed address and data bus within a computer system, the bus interface comprising:
- arbitration logic to arbitrate between an address request and a data request, contending for access to the multiplexed address and data bus, according to a predetermined criteria;
- and
- selection logic to grant the multiplexed address and data bus to either the address or the data request in accordance with the outcome of the arbitration.
A bus agent to be coupled to a multiplexed address and data bus within a computer system, the bus agent including:
- arbitration logic to arbitrate an address request and a data request, contending for access to the multiplexed address and data bus, according to a predetermined criteria;
- and
- selection logic to grant the multiplexed address and data bus to either the address or the data request in accordance with the outcome of the arbitration.
A bus interface to be coupled to a multiplexed address and data bus within a computer system, the bus interface comprising:
- arbitration means for arbitrating between a first type of request and second type of request, contending for access to the multiplexed address and data bus, according to a predetermined criteria;
- and
- selection logic to grant the multiplexed address and data bus to either the first or second type of request in accordance with the outcome of the arbitration.
A computer system including:
- a bus;
- a bus agent coupled to the bus, the bus agent including:
- arbitration logic to arbitrate between a first request and a second request, contending for access to the bus, according to a predetermined criteria, wherein the first and second requests emanate from the bus agent and are of different request types;
- and
- selection logic to grant the bus to either the first request or the second request in accordance with the outcome of the arbitration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.