US 6,295,588 B1 · Memory access controller that converts memory access requests into memory access commands

Abstract

A memory access controller generates memory access commands from memory access requests. A sequence of memory access requests is input and destributed to need-makers. Each need-maker determines the memory access command needed by it's respective memory access request. These needs are passed to and prioritized by a prioritizer. The desired memory access command is then selected from these prioritized needs according to the requirements of the memory. This can be done by checking each prioritized need against a set of memory rules. The prioritized needs which pass all the required memory rules are then passed to a command output selector which selects the most appropriate one, resulting in the desired memory access command.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A circuit arrangement for a memory access controller for converting memory access requests into memory access commands comprising:

a request input for inputting sequences of said memory access requests;
a command output for outputting sequences of said memory access commands;
an input logic for accepting said memory access requests from said request input, said input logic used to demultiplex said memory access requests into one or more requests;
one or more need-makers used for determining needs, said needs indicating what memory access command is needed for each of said requests;
a prioritizer for making prioritized needs, said prioritized needs being said needs ordered by priority;
a need selector for selecting and deriving from said prioritized needs said memory access command,
wherein said prioritizer comprises:
one or more multiplexers corresponding to each of said prioritized needs, where said multiplexer selects a prioritized need from said needs;
a priority determiner for determining which of said needs should be selected as said prioritized needs for each of said multiplexers.

6 more elements

A circuit arrangement for a memory access controller that converts memory access requests into memory access commands, said circuit arrangement comprising:

a requester that inputs sequences of memory access requests;
an output system that outputs sequences of memory access commands;
an input logic system that accepts said memory access requests from said requestor, said input logic system demultiplexing said memory access requests into at least one request;
at least one need-maker that determines needs, said needs indicating what memory access command is needed for each said request;
a prioritizer that prioritizes needs, said prioritizer comprising at least one multiplexer corresponding to each of said prioritized needs, said at least one multiplexer selects a prioritized need from said needs, and a priority determiner that determines which of said needs should be selected as said prioritized needs for each of said at least one multiplexer;
and
a need selector that selects and derives, said memory access command from said prioritized needs.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Memory access controller that converts memory access requests into memory access commands

Life of this patent

Memory access controller that converts memory access requests into memory access commands

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12