Network adapter having single ported memory which is accessible by network and peripheral bus on a time division multiplexed (TDM) basis
First Claim
1. An adapter, adapted for connecting an asynchronous data communication network system to a computer peripheral bus having a predetermined width, the adapter comprising a single ported memory having an access port with a width that is at least twice said predetermined width of said peripheral bus, which is accessible, in use, by both the network and peripheral bus on a time division multiplexed (TDM) basis, wherein the peripheral bus is controlled by a clock having cycles and the single ported memory is accessed by the network and the peripheral component on different clock cycles according to a predetermined relationship.
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Abstract
This invention relates to an improved LAN adapter. The LAN adapter includes a time division multiplex (TDM) ported RAM. The RAM is used to provide both network data FIFOs and control data storage in a single memory element. The network and peripheral components are able to access the same memory, but at different times in the cycle, thereby minimizing the component count and optimizing the operation of the adapter.
49 Citations
10 Claims
- 1. An adapter, adapted for connecting an asynchronous data communication network system to a computer peripheral bus having a predetermined width, the adapter comprising a single ported memory having an access port with a width that is at least twice said predetermined width of said peripheral bus, which is accessible, in use, by both the network and peripheral bus on a time division multiplexed (TDM) basis, wherein the peripheral bus is controlled by a clock having cycles and the single ported memory is accessed by the network and the peripheral component on different clock cycles according to a predetermined relationship.
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10. A method of effecting communication between an asynchronous data communication network and a computer peripheral bus operating under control of a clock having cycles and having a predetermined width, comprising:
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connecting an adapter between the network and the peripheral bus, said adapter comprising a single ported memory having an access port with a width that is at least twice said predetermined width of said peripheral bus, and which is accessible, in use, by both the network and the peripheral bus on a time multiplexed basis; allowing the network to access the single ported memory on every other clock cycle; and allowing the bus to access the single ported memory during the other clock cycles thereby effecting data and control storage during the respective clock cycles.
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Specification