Switch matrix having integrated crosspoint logic and method of operation
First Claim
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1. A switch matrix for interconnecting a plurality of first ports with a plurality of second ports, said switch matrix comprising:
- a plurality of vertical buses, each said bus associated with a particular one of said first ports;
a plurality of individually operable crosspoints;
a plurality of horizontal buses connected to said second ports for connecting, via enabled ones of said crosspoints, one of said first ports and any one of said second ports; and
contention handling circuitry, disposed at each crosspoint, associated with each vertical bus for handling contention between competing ones of said second ports for connection to said vertical bus.
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Abstract
There is disclosed a switch matrix and operational method relying upon a high degree of operational logic at each matrix crosspoint. In one embodiment, the switch is used in a multiprocessor system arranged as an image and graphics processor. The processor is structured with several individual processors all having communication links to several memories without restriction. The switch matrix serves to establish the processor memory links and the entire image processor, including the individual processors, the crossbar switch and the memories and is contained on a single silicon substrate.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A switch matrix for interconnecting a plurality of first ports with a plurality of second ports, said switch matrix comprising:
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a plurality of vertical buses, each said bus associated with a particular one of said first ports; a plurality of individually operable crosspoints; a plurality of horizontal buses connected to said second ports for connecting, via enabled ones of said crosspoints, one of said first ports and any one of said second ports; and contention handling circuitry, disposed at each crosspoint, associated with each vertical bus for handling contention between competing ones of said second ports for connection to said vertical bus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A switch matrix for interconnecting a plurality of first ports with a plurality of second ports, said switch matrix constructed on a single substrate and comprising:
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a plurality of buses in one level of said substrate, each said bus associated with a particular one of said first ports; a plurality of individually operable crosspoints; a plurality of horizontal buses in another level of said substrate connected to said second ports for connecting, via enabled ones of said crosspoints, one of said first ports and any one of said second ports; and contention handling circuitry disposed at each crosspoint with each vertical bus for handling contention between competing ones of said second ports for connection to said vertical bus. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. The method of operating a switch matrix in a processing system where the processing system has a plurality of first ports connectable to any one of a plurality of second ports and where said switch matrix has a first set of links connected to said first ports and a second set of links connected to said second ports, said sets of links spatially separated from each other and connectable together by a plurality of selectively operable crosspoints, said method comprising the steps of:
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sending to said crosspoints from an active one of said first ports via said first set of links an address designating a desired connection through said switch matrix to a particular one of said second ports; receiving at each of said crosspoints all of said sent addresses; resolving at said crosspoints any contention between said first ports sending addresses designating the same second port; and enabling one of said crosspoints, by circuitry at said crosspoint, in response to said resolved contention so as to effect a connection from said active first port to said second port corresponding to said address designating a desired connection through said switch matrix. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification