Arrangement and method of arbitration for a resource with shared user request signals and dynamic priority assignment
First Claim
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1. A shared resource arrangement comprising:
- a shared resource;
a plurality of users coupled to the resource;
arbitration logic for arbitrating among the users for use of the resource, the arbitration logic allowing the users to make requests over a single shared request line in a given sequence of said users, and changing said sequence to a new sequence of said users after each use of the resource by one of the users, the requests being for use of the resource.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for arbitration among users for a resource has a single shared user request line over which each of the users asserts request signals for use of the resource. Dynamic priority assignment is provided, in which the sequence of users is changed as a function of the last user to use the resource. A time multiplexed format for arbitration is followed, with each user keeping track of which user'"'"'s turn it is to request use of the resource. This prevents starvation of an individual user and allows great flexibility in assigning priority to the users, while reducing pin counts and signal traces.
168 Citations
39 Claims
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1. A shared resource arrangement comprising:
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a shared resource; a plurality of users coupled to the resource; arbitration logic for arbitrating among the users for use of the resource, the arbitration logic allowing the users to make requests over a single shared request line in a given sequence of said users, and changing said sequence to a new sequence of said users after each use of the resource by one of the users, the requests being for use of the resource. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A shared resource arrangement comprising:
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a shared resource; a plurality of users coupled to the resource; a central arbiter coupled to the plurality of users for arbitrating among the users for use of the resource, the arbiter having a given sequence in which the users are permitted to request use of the resource over a single shared request line, the arbiter changing said sequence to a new sequence after each use of the resource by one of the users. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A method of arbitrating among users for a shared resource, the method comprising:
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a. assigning time slots to the users in a sequence; b. sequencing through the time slots according to the sequence, each user able to issue a request only during the time slot assigned to that user; c. accepting a request from a user issuing a request during the time slot assigned to said user and allowing the user to use the shared resource; d. changing the sequence of users after use of the shared resource by the user allowed to use the shared resource; and e. repeating steps b-d. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39)
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Specification