Input/output controller node in an adaptable computing environment
First Claim
1. An adaptive computing engine, comprising:
- a programmable interconnection network;
a plurality of nodes, wherein each node included in the plurality of nodes has a fixed and different architecture that corresponds to a particular algorithmic function, and each node is coupled to one or more other nodes in the plurality of nodes via the programmable interconnection network;
a reconfigurable input/output (I/O) controller coupled to a first node in the plurality of nodes via the programmable interconnection network, the reconfigurable I/O controller including;
at least one input coupled to the programmable interconnection network for receiving a point-to-point transfer instruction from the first node, andat least one output for providing a translated point-to-point transfer instruction to an external device; and
a physical link adapter coupled to the reconfigurable I/O controller, wherein the physical link adapter is coupled to coupling circuitry and includes a reconfigurable finite-state machine configured to control the coupling circuitry to selectively connect a signal from a physical connector.
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Abstract
A reconfigurable input/output controller (IOC) allows an adaptive computing engine (ACE) to communicate with external devices. The external devices can comprise a separate system on chip (SOC) or can be other devices or resources such as audio/visual output devices, memory, network or other communications, etc. The IOC allows different modes of transfer and performs necessary translation of input and output commands. In one embodiment, the IOC adheres to standard messaging and communication protocol used by other nodes in the ACE. This approach allows a uniform approach to the ACE design and provides advantages in scalability and adaptability of the ACE system. One feature of the invention provides a physical link adapter for accommodating different external communication types such as, RS231, optical, Firewire, universal synchronous bus (USB), etc. The physical link adapter uses a reconfigurable finite state machine, selectable couplings and a bus switch to allow connection of different communication types'"'"' signals to a common ACE component such as to an IOC.
71 Citations
14 Claims
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1. An adaptive computing engine, comprising:
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a programmable interconnection network; a plurality of nodes, wherein each node included in the plurality of nodes has a fixed and different architecture that corresponds to a particular algorithmic function, and each node is coupled to one or more other nodes in the plurality of nodes via the programmable interconnection network; a reconfigurable input/output (I/O) controller coupled to a first node in the plurality of nodes via the programmable interconnection network, the reconfigurable I/O controller including; at least one input coupled to the programmable interconnection network for receiving a point-to-point transfer instruction from the first node, and at least one output for providing a translated point-to-point transfer instruction to an external device; and a physical link adapter coupled to the reconfigurable I/O controller, wherein the physical link adapter is coupled to coupling circuitry and includes a reconfigurable finite-state machine configured to control the coupling circuitry to selectively connect a signal from a physical connector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification