On-chip high speed data interface
AssigneeAdvanced Micro Devices, Inc.
InventorsThomas Kunjan, Frank Barth
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An integrated circuit chip, particularly a southbridge, is provided that has a first and a second circuit unit. Each circuit unit can send requests to the other one and send back a response when receiving a request that requires a response. The first circuit unit can store data relating to a request to be sent, and the second circuit unit cannot store data relating to a received request. Thus, an on-chip interface is provided that may increase the overall system performance and that may support split transaction.
Claims61
An integrated circuit chip comprising a first and a second circuit unit, wherein:
- each of said first and second circuit units are capable of sending requests to the other one of said first and second circuit units;
- each of said first and second circuit units are capable of sending back a response when receiving a request that requires a response;
- said first circuit unit is capable of storing data relating to a request to be sent;
- and
- said second circuit unit is not capable of storing data relating to a received request.
A southbridge device comprising an integrated circuit chip having a first and a second circuit unit, wherein:
- each of said first and second circuit units are capable of sending requests to the other one of said first and second circuit units;
- each of said first and second circuit units are capable of sending back a response when receiving a request that requires a response;
- said first circuit unit is capable of storing data relating to a request to be sent;
- and
- said second circuit unit is not capable of storing data relating to a received request.
A method of operating an integrated circuit chip comprising a first and a second circuit unit, comprising:
- sending requests from one of said first and second circuit units to the other one of said first and second circuit units;
- and
- sending back a response from said other one of said first and second circuit units to said one of said first and second circuit units if said request requires a response;
- wherein the method further comprises:
- operating said first circuit unit to store data relating to a request to be sent by said first circuit unit;
- and
- operating said second circuit unit not to store data relating to a request received by said second circuit unit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.