Asynchronous arbiter using multiple arbiter elements to enhance speed
First Claim
1. An arbiter configured to receive request signals from a plurality of users and to perform a first arbitration and a next arbitration, including:
- a plurality of arbiter elements coupled to receive the request signals;
a grant circuit configured to issue a first grant and a next grant in response to output signals from a first arbiter element and a next arbiter element of the plurality of arbiter elements respectively; and
a feedback element configured to feed back the first grant signal from the grant circuit to the plurality of arbiter elements to invoke the next arbiter element, such that the first arbitration and the next arbitration are performed by different arbiter elements, and the next arbitration may begin as soon as the first grant is issued as a result of the first arbitration.
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Abstract
An arbiter circuit is described that is capable of granting a first user access to a shared resource while concurrently arbitrating subsequent requests from the first user to other users seeking access to the shared resource. The arbiter of the present invention includes a first arbiter element and a second arbiter element. The first arbiter element is initially used to arbitrate and issue a grant signal in response to one or more request signals from two or more users. The second arbiter element arbitrates and issues the next grant signal in response to subsequent request signal or signals from the one or other users. In one embodiment of the invention, the first and second arbiter elements are used alternately. In other embodiments, third and fourth arbiter elements are used to arbitrate in response to subsequent requests. The arbiter circuits of the present invention all reduce the delays in the access of users to the shared resource.
31 Citations
25 Claims
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1. An arbiter configured to receive request signals from a plurality of users and to perform a first arbitration and a next arbitration, including:
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a plurality of arbiter elements coupled to receive the request signals; a grant circuit configured to issue a first grant and a next grant in response to output signals from a first arbiter element and a next arbiter element of the plurality of arbiter elements respectively; and a feedback element configured to feed back the first grant signal from the grant circuit to the plurality of arbiter elements to invoke the next arbiter element, such that the first arbitration and the next arbitration are performed by different arbiter elements, and the next arbitration may begin as soon as the first grant is issued as a result of the first arbitration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of providing an arbiter configured to receive request signals from a plurality of users and to perform a first arbitration and a next arbitration, including the steps of:
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providing a plurality of arbiter elements coupled to receive the request signals; providing a grant circuit configured to issue a first grant and a next grant in response to output signals from a first arbiter element and a next arbiter element among the plurality of arbiter elements respectively; and providing a feedback element configured to feed back the first grant signal from the grant circuit to the plurality of arbiter elements to invoke the next arbiter element, such that the first arbitration and the next arbitration are performed by different arbiter elements, and the next arbitration may begin as soon as the first grant is issued as a result of the first arbitration. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification