Method and apparatus to detect a timeout condition for a data item within a process
First Claim
1. A method to detect a timeout condition for a data item within the process, the method including:
- maintaining a current time as a first N-bit binary number (A);
recording an event time of an occurrence of an event pertaining to the data item within the process, and storing the event time as a second N-bit binary number (B);
configuring a predetermined time limit expressed as a non-negative integer K, where K is less than N and K is a logarithm base 2 of the predetermined time limit; and
detecting a timeout condition pertaining to the data item when a difference between the current time and the event time exceeds the predetermined time limit,wherein the detection of the timeout condition is performed as a single-stage operation.
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Abstract
A method for detecting a timeout condition for a data item (e.g., a request) within the process (e.g., within an arbitration process) includes maintaining a current time as a first N-bit binary number (A). An event time of an occurrence of an event pertaining to the data item within the process is recorded and stored as a second N-bit binary number (B). A predetermined time limit, expressed as a non-negative integer K, is configured. K is less than N and K is a logarithm base 2 of the predetermined time limit. A timeout condition pertaining to the data item is detected when a difference between the current time and the event time exceeds the predetermined time limit. The detection of the timeout condition is performed utilizing a single-stage operation. This single stage operation may include computing A (current time)−B (event time) modulo 2n≧2k.
62 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method to detect a timeout condition for a data item within the process, the method including:
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maintaining a current time as a first N-bit binary number (A); recording an event time of an occurrence of an event pertaining to the data item within the process, and storing the event time as a second N-bit binary number (B); configuring a predetermined time limit expressed as a non-negative integer K, where K is less than N and K is a logarithm base 2 of the predetermined time limit; and detecting a timeout condition pertaining to the data item when a difference between the current time and the event time exceeds the predetermined time limit, wherein the detection of the timeout condition is performed as a single-stage operation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system to detect a timeout condition for a data item within the process, the system including:
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a memory to store a current time as a first N-bit binary number (A) and to store an event time as a second N-bit binary number (B), the event time being of the time of an occurrence of an event pertaining to the data item within the process, and a detector to detect a timeout condition pertaining to the data item when a difference between the current time and the event time exceeds a predetermined time limit, wherein the predetermined time limit is expressed as a non-negative integer K, where K is less than N and K is a logarithm base 2 of the predetermined time limit, and wherein the detection of the timeout condition is performed as a single-stage operation. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. Apparatus to detect a timeout condition for a data item within the process, the system including:
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first means for storing a current time as a first N-bit binary number (A) and for storing an event time as a second N-bit binary number (B), the event time being of the time of an occurrence of an event pertaining to the data item within the process, and second means for detecting a timeout condition pertaining to the data item when a difference between the current time and the event time exceeds a predetermined time limit, wherein the predetermined time limit is expressed as a non-negative integer K, where K is less than N and K is a logarithm base 2 of the predetermined time limit, and wherein the detection of the timeout condition is performed as a single-stage operation.
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24. A machine-readable medium storing a description of a circuit, said circuit comprising:
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a memory to store a current time as a first N-bit binary number (A) and to store an event time as a second N-bit binary number (B), the event time being of the time of an occurrence of an event pertaining to the data item within the process, and a detector to detect a timeout condition pertaining to the data item when a difference between the current time and the event time exceeds a predetermined time limit, wherein the predetermined time limit is expressed as a non-negative integer K, where K is less than N and K is a logarithm base 2 of the predetermined time limit, and wherein the detection of the timeout condition is performed as a single-stage operation. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification