Microprocessor architecture capable of supporting multiple heterogeneous processors
First Claim
1. A memory control unit for controlling access, by one or more devices within a processor, to a memory array unit external to the processor via one or more memory ports of the processor, the memory control unit comprising:
- a switch network to transfer data between the one or more devices of the processor and the one or more memory ports of the processor;
a switch arbitration unit to arbitrate for access by the one or more devices to said switch network; and
a port arbitration unit to arbitrate for access by the one or more devices to one of the one or more memory ports.
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Abstract
A memory control unit for controlling access, by one or more devices within a processor, to a memory array unit external to the processor via one or more memory ports of the processor. The memory control unit includes a switch network to transfer data between the one or more devices of the processor and the one or more memory ports of the processor. The memory control unit also includes a switch arbitration unit to arbitrate for the switch network, and a port arbitration unit to arbitrate for the one or more memory ports.
103 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A memory control unit for controlling access, by one or more devices within a processor, to a memory array unit external to the processor via one or more memory ports of the processor, the memory control unit comprising:
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a switch network to transfer data between the one or more devices of the processor and the one or more memory ports of the processor;
a switch arbitration unit to arbitrate for access by the one or more devices to said switch network; and
a port arbitration unit to arbitrate for access by the one or more devices to one of the one or more memory ports. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
a first signal line to transfer, to said port arbitration unit, a request to transfer data between one of the devices and the memory array unit via one of the memory ports;
a second signal line to transfer a port available signal from an available one of the memory ports to said switch arbitration unit when the available port is available to process the request; and
a third signal line responsive to the port available signal to transfer a switch available signal from said switch arbitration unit to said port arbitration unit when said switch network is free to process said request.
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7. The memory control unit of claim 1, wherein the one or more memory ports are coupled to the memory array unit by a system bus.
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8. In a system including a processor and a memory array unit, wherein the processor includes one or more devices and one or more memory ports, a method for controlling access by the one or more devices to the memory array unit via the one or more memory ports, the method comprising:
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transferring data between the one or more devices and the one or more memory ports via a switch network;
arbitrating for access by the one or more devices to said switch network; and
arbitrating for access by the one or more devices to one of the one or more memory ports. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification