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Apparatus and method in a network interface device for asynchronously generating SRAM full and empty flags using coded read and write pointer values

  • US 6,473,818 B1
  • Filed: 09/09/1998
  • Issued: 10/29/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method in a network interface device, the method comprising:

  • receiving data frames based on a first clock domain at a first interface of the network interface device;

    writing the data frames into a random access memory in the network interface based on the first clock domain;

    changing a single bit of a write pointer value in response to each occurrence of the writing step;

    reading stored data from the random access memory based on a second clock domain independent from the first clock domain;

    changing a single bit of a read pointer value in response to each occurrence of the reading step;

    forwarding the read data based on the second clock domain to a second interface on the network interface device;

    comparing the read pointer value and the write pointer value; and

    selectively setting one of a full and empty flag based on the comparing step;

    writing the data to the random access memory based on the binary write address value.

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