ASIC bus structure
First Claim
1. A system, fabricated on an integrated circuit, for coupling data between M nodes, where M is an integer ≧
- 2, the system comprising;
M modules each module having a first input coupled to a Din input node, having a second input coupled to a local output node, having an arbitration node coupled to an arbitration signal, and having an output node Dout that is coupled to said first input node of said same module when said first arbitration signal is in a first state and is coupled to said second input node of said same module when said first arbitration signal is in a second state; and
a conductive bus providing electrical coupling between adjacent said modules such that the Din input node of an Mi module is coupled to the Dout output node of an Mi+1 th module, and the Din input node of the Mth module is coupled to the Dout output node of the Mi=0 th module, where i is an integer 0≦
i≦
M-1;
wherein signal states of the arbitration signal coupled to each module define a signal path on said conductive bus between a desired input node on one module and an output node on another module, the modules so coupled providing point-to-point coupling.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A bi-directional ring bus structure is formed on an integrated circuit from a conductive bus and M X:1 multiplexer modules (where M is an integer ≧2), coupled in a point-to-point configuration. Each module is associated with an input/output port that can communicate with the bus. Each module has an output port (Dout), and arbitration ("ARB") port, and X input ports ("LOCALout", "Din1", "Din2", . . . "Din[X-1]"). The Dout output port of an Mi module is coupled, via a portion of conductive bus, to [X-1] input ports on an adjacent Di+1 module. Thus, module M0 '"'"'s Dout0 output port is coupled to [X-1] input ports on module M1, module M1 '"'"'s Dout1 port is coupled to [X-1] input ports of module M2, and so forth. The modules are X:1 in that the output port of each module is coupled to a chosen one of that module'"'"'s X INPUT ports, as determined by the state of an arbitration select signal (ARB) coupled to the module'"'"'s arbitration port. The state of the arbitration select signals defines a bus signal path between the LOCALout input port of a module coupled to the bus, and the Din input ports of other modules. Because it is point-to-point, low module current may be used, the width of the metallized bus traces may be reduced, and contention-type overlap damage is minimized.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A system, fabricated on an integrated circuit, for coupling data between M nodes, where M is an integer ≧
- 2, the system comprising;
M modules each module having a first input coupled to a Din input node, having a second input coupled to a local output node, having an arbitration node coupled to an arbitration signal, and having an output node Dout that is coupled to said first input node of said same module when said first arbitration signal is in a first state and is coupled to said second input node of said same module when said first arbitration signal is in a second state; and a conductive bus providing electrical coupling between adjacent said modules such that the Din input node of an Mi module is coupled to the Dout output node of an Mi+1 th module, and the Din input node of the Mth module is coupled to the Dout output node of the Mi=0 th module, where i is an integer 0≦
i≦
M-1;wherein signal states of the arbitration signal coupled to each module define a signal path on said conductive bus between a desired input node on one module and an output node on another module, the modules so coupled providing point-to-point coupling. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
- 2, the system comprising;
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6. A method for coupling data between M nodes on an integrated circuit, where M is an integer ≧
- 2, the method comprising the following steps;
(a) providing M modules each module having a first input coupled to a Din input node, having a second input coupled to a local output node, having an arbitration node coupled to an arbitration signal, and having an output node Dout that is coupled to said first input node of said same module when said first arbitration signal is in a first state and is coupled to said second input node of said same module when said first arbitration signal is in a second state; and (b) providing a conductive bus providing electrical coupling between adjacent said modules such that the Din input node of an Mi module is coupled to the Dout output node of an Mi+1 th module, and the Din input node of the Mth module is coupled to the Dout output node of the Mi=0 th module, where i is an integer 0≦
i≦
M-1;wherein signal states of the arbitration signal coupled to each module define a signal path on said conductive bus between a desired input node on one module and an output node on another module, the modules so coupled providing point-to-point coupling. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
- 2, the method comprising the following steps;
Specification