Non-blocking peripheral access architecture having a register configure to indicate a path selection for data transfer between a master, memory, and an I/O device
First Claim
1. In a computer system comprising a master, a memory, an I/O expansion bus, an I/O transfer interconnection not connected to the expansion bus, an I/O device connected to the I/O expansion bus and the I/O transfer interconnection, and a register configured to indicate one of said I/O expansion bus and said I/O transfer interconnection for transfers between said master and said I/O device, a transfer process comprising the steps of:
- (a) selecting the I/O device to the I/O expansion bus for performing a transfer on a first path between said I/O device and said memory; and
(b) selecting the I/O device to the one of said I/O expansion bus and said I/O transfer interconnection in accordance with said register for performing a transfer between said master and said I/O device.
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Abstract
A computer system is disclosed which has a master, such as a processor, a memory, and I/O device, a first transfer path, which includes a bus, and a second transfer path, which includes a transfer interconnection. Transfers between the memory and the I/O device are effected via the first path while transfers between the processor and the I/O device are transferred via the second path. The disparate treatment between these two types of transfers reduces the likelihood that the transfer via the second path is delayed and thereby reduces the likelihood that the master is totally blocked from operation.
123 Citations
24 Claims
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1. In a computer system comprising a master, a memory, an I/O expansion bus, an I/O transfer interconnection not connected to the expansion bus, an I/O device connected to the I/O expansion bus and the I/O transfer interconnection, and a register configured to indicate one of said I/O expansion bus and said I/O transfer interconnection for transfers between said master and said I/O device, a transfer process comprising the steps of:
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(a) selecting the I/O device to the I/O expansion bus for performing a transfer on a first path between said I/O device and said memory; and (b) selecting the I/O device to the one of said I/O expansion bus and said I/O transfer interconnection in accordance with said register for performing a transfer between said master and said I/O device. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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2. A process for transferring data via one of first and second data paths, said first data path including an I/O expansion bus, and said second data path bypassing said I/O expansion bus via a transfer interconnection, said process comprising the steps of:
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(a) storing in a register an indication whether said transfer interconnection supports transfers between said master and said I/O device; (b) if said transfer is between a memory and said I/O device, then performing said transfer via said first path; and (c) if said transfer is between a master and said I/O device, performing said transfer via said one of first and second data paths in accordance with said indication in said register. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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11. A computer system, comprising:
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(a) a master, (b) a memory, (c) an I/O device, (d) a register configured to store an indication whether said transfer interconnection supports transfers between said master and said I/O device, (e) a first data path, including a first bus connected to said I/O device, for performing transfers between said memory and said I/O device and for performing transfers between said master and said I/O device if said indication is that said transfer interconnection fails to support transfers between said master and said I/O device, and (f) a second data path, including a transfer interconnection connected to said I/O device, for performing transfers between said master and said I/O device if said indication is that said transfer interconnection supports transfers between said master and said I/O device, said second data path not including the first bus. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 24)
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Specification