Dynamic master/slave configuration for multiple expansion modules
First Claim
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1. A computing system, comprising:
- a central processing unit;
at least two expansion modules, wherein one module is designated as a master module; and
a system expansion bus communicatively coupled to the central processing unit and the expansion modules to allow communication between the central processing unit and the master module.
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Abstract
A computing system having expansion modules. One of the expansion modules is identified as a master module. The other modules act as slaves to the master module. The central processing unit routes a task to either the master module for portioning out or to all of the expansion modules. The master module then receives completion signals from all of the active slave modules and then provides only one interrupt to the central processing unit for that task.
154 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A computing system, comprising:
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a central processing unit;
at least two expansion modules, wherein one module is designated as a master module; and
a system expansion bus communicatively coupled to the central processing unit and the expansion modules to allow communication between the central processing unit and the master module. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of processing a task, the method comprising:
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receiving the task from a central processing unit;
completing processing of a first portion of the task;
receiving a completion signal from at least one slave module after completion of a second portion of the task; and
generating an interrupt to the central processing unit after reception of the completion signals. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of processing a task, the method comprising:
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designating a master module from at least two expansion modules, wherein the other module becomes a slave module;
routing the task to the master module; and
receiving an interrupt from the master module when the task is completed. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An article including machine-readable code that, when executed, causes a machine to:
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receive a task from a central processing unit;
complete processing of at least a first portion of the task;
receive a completion signal from at least one slave module upon completion of a second portion of the task; and
generate an interrupt to the central processing unit upon reception of the completion signal. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. An article including machine-readable code that, when executed, causes a machine to:
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designating a master module from at least two expansion modules;
routing the task to the master module; and
receiving an interrupt from the master module when the task is completed. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification