Independent link and bank selection

A switching apparatus comprising:

• an access controller for controlling access by a first link controller and a second link controller to a first memory bank and a second memory bank, the access controller comprising:
• first invalid check logic for preventing simultaneous or overlapping access to both banks by the same link controller;
• and
• second invalid check logic for preventing simultaneous or overlapping access to the same bank by both link controllers,
• the access controller configured to produce control outputs in accordance with an output of the first invalid check logic and an output of the second invalid check logic;
• wherein the control outputs comprise:
• a respective enable for each link for writing, the enables for writing collectively being generated so as to prevent simultaneous or overlapping access to both banks by the same link controller;
• and
• a respective enable for each bank for reading, the enables for reading collectively being generated so as to prevent simultaneous or overlapping access to the same bank by both link controllers;
• the switching apparatus further comprising:
• first switching logic comprising:
• a first input for receiving a data input from the first link controller;
• a second input for receiving the enable for writing for the first link;
• a third input for receiving a data input from the second link controller;
• a fourth input for receiving the enable for writing for the second link controller;
• an output for outputting data to one of the first bank and the second bank;
• and
• second switching logic comprising:
• a first input for receiving a data input from the first bank;
• a second input for receiving the enable for reading from the first bank;
• a third input for receiving a data input from the second bank;
• a fourth input for receiving the enable for reading from the second bank;
• an output for outputting data read from the first or second bank.