System and method for processing data

• US 6,646,576 B1
• Filed: 06/20/2002
• Issued: 11/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Conexant Incorporated (Synaptics Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: GlobespanVirata, Inc. (Synaptics Incorporated)
• Inventors: Habot, Ronen, Delvaux, Marc
• Primary Examiner(s): Tokar, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mai, Lam T
• Application Number:
  US10/177,437
• Time in Patent Office: 509 Days
• Field of Search: 341/60, 341/65, 341/70, 341/168, 341/55, 341/164, 709/217, 709/219, 709/218, 709/247, 709/238, 711/15, 711/202
• US Class Current: 341/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/22 Parsing or analysis of headers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

Methods and systems for processing data are disclosed. An exemplary system for parsing and modifying data stored in an array of storage elements includes a parsing system configured to access the data stored in selected storage elements of the array of storage elements and output the data in one of a plurality of register formats and a write system configured to write data to selected storage elements of the array of storage elements, wherein the data is received in one of the plurality of register formats. The plurality of register formats includes a first set of register formats corresponding to a packed representation of the data and a second set of register formats corresponding to an unpacked representation of the data.

Claims

1. A system for parsing data stored in an array of storage elements, the system comprising:

a decoder configured to receive a desired register format from a plurality of register formats and further configured to activate an enable signal from a set of enable signals based on the desired register format; and

operational logic configured to derive an array of output data bits related to the desired register format, wherein the operational logic receives as inputs the set of enable signals and selectively connected storage elements of the array of storage elements.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein each enable signal of the set of enable signals correlates to a register format of the plurality of register formats, and wherein the selectively connected storage elements are selected with respect to the plurality of register formats.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of register formats comprises:

a first set of register formats corresponding to a packed representation of the data; and

a second set of register formats corresponding to an unpacked representation of the data.

4. A system for writing data to an array of storage elements, the system comprising:

a decoder configured to receive a desired register format from a plurality of register formats and further configured to activate an enable signal from a set of enable signals based on the desired register format; and

an array of bit-selector blocks configured to write the data to the array of storage elements in the desired register format, wherein each bit-selector block receives as inputs various selected bits of the data and selected enable signals of the set of enable signals, such that activation of one of the selected enable signals dictates which bit of the various input bits is to be written to a particular storage element.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein multiple storage elements are connected to a common bit-selector block, wherein the common bit-selector block receives as inputs various selected bits of the data and selected enable signals of the set of enable signals, such that activation of one of the selected enable signals dictates which bits of the various input bits are to be written to the multiple storage elements.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein each enable signal of the set of enable signals correlates to a register format of the plurality of register formats, and wherein the various selected bits of the data and the selected enable signals are selected with respect to the plurality of register formats.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein the plurality of register formats comprises:

a first set of register formats corresponding to a packed representation of the data; and

a second set of register formats corresponding to an unpacked representation of the data.

8. A system for parsing and modifying data stored in an array of storage elements, the system comprising:

a read decoder configured to receive a desired register format from a plurality of register formats and further configured to activate a read-enable signal from a set of read-enable signals based on the desired register format;

operational logic configured to derive an array of output data bits related to the desired register format, wherein the operational logic receives as inputs the set of read-enable signals and selectively connected storage elements of the array of storage elements;

a write decoder configured to receive a desired register format from the plurality of register formats and further configured to activate a write-enable signal from a set of write-enable signals based on the desired register format; and

an array of bit-selector blocks configured to write the data to the array of storage elements in the desired register format, wherein each bit-selector block receives as inputs various selected bits of the data and selected write-enable signals of the set of write-enable signals, such that activation of one of the selected write-enable signals dictates which bit of the various input bits is to be written to a particular storage element.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein each read-enable signal of the set of read-enable signals correlates to a register format of the plurality of register formats, and wherein the selectively connected storage elements are selected with respect to the plurality of register formats.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein each write-enable signal of the set of write-enable signals correlates to a register format of the plurality of register formats, and wherein the various selected bits of the data and the selected write-enable signals are selected with respect to the plurality of register formats.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of register formats comprises:

a first set of register formats corresponding to a packed representation of the data; and

a second set of register formats corresponding to an unpacked representation of the data.

12. A system for parsing data stored in an array of storage elements, the system comprising:

a read programmable table (RPT) preprogrammed with bit-level mapping information related to the array of storage elements; and

a read selector block coupled to the RPT and configured to, when enabled, read and output contents of appropriately selected storage elements of the array of storage elements based upon the bit-level mapping information provided by the RPT.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the bit-level mapping information comprises a record for each bit of a plurality of register formats, wherein each register format provides a different parsing format of the data.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein each record comprises a field signifying a proper storage element of the array of storage elements from which to retrieve data.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the RPT is configured to be queried by a desired register format of the plurality of register formats, and wherein the bit-level mapping information provided to the read selector block is related to the desired register format.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the read selector block comprises a bit-selector block for each bit of the desired register format, wherein each bit-selector block comprises means for selecting a proper storage element of the array of storage elements from which to retrieve data based on the provided bit-level mapping information.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the bit-level mapping information and the plurality of register formats are application specific.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the plurality of register formats comprises:

a first set of register formats corresponding to a packed representation of the data; and

a second set of register formats corresponding to an unpacked representation of the data.

19. A system for writing data to an array of storage elements, the system comprising:

a write programmable table (WPT) preprogrammed with bit-level mapping information related to the array of storage elements; and

a write selector block coupled to the WPT and configured to, when enabled, write selected bits of the data to particular storage elements of the array of storage elements based upon the bit-level mapping information provided by the WPT.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the bit-level mapping information comprises:

write-enable information communicating which storage elements of the array of storage elements shall be enabled for each of a plurality of register formats; and

bit selection information communicating which bit of the data to write to each enabled storage element for each of the plurality of register formats, wherein each register format provides a different write format of the data.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the WPT is configured to be queried by a desired register format of the plurality of register formats, and wherein the bit-level mapping information provided to the write selector block is related to the desired register format.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the write selector block comprises a bit-selector block for each storage element of the array of storage elements, wherein each bit-selector block comprises means for selecting the proper bit of data to write to its respective storage element based upon the provided bit-level mapping information.

23. The system of claim 20, wherein the bit-level mapping information and the plurality of register formats are application specific.

24. The system of claim 20, wherein the plurality of register formats comprises:

a first set of register formats corresponding to a packed representation of the data; and

a second set of register formats corresponding to an unpacked representation of the data.

25. A system for parsing and modifying data stored in an array of storage elements, the system comprising:

a parsing system configured to access the data stored in selected storage elements of the array of storage elements and output the data in one of a plurality of register formats; and

a write system configured to write data to selected storage elements of the array of storage elements, wherein the data is received in one of the plurality of register formats;

wherein the plurality of register formats comprises;

a first set of register formats corresponding to a packed representation of the data; and

a second set of register formats corresponding to an unpacked representation of the data.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the parsing system comprises:

a read programmable table (RPT) preprogrammed with bit-level location information related to the array of storage elements; and

a read selector block coupled to the RPT and configured to, when enabled, read and output contents of the selected storage elements based upon the bit-level location information provided by the RPT.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the bit-level location information comprises a reference to the proper storage element from which to retrieve data for each bit of the plurality of register formats.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the RPT is configured to be queried by a desired register format of the plurality of register formats, and wherein the bit-level location information provided to the read selector block is related to the desired register format.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the read selector block comprises a bit-selector block for each bit of the desired register format, wherein each bit-selector block comprises means for selecting the proper storage element from which to retrieve data based on the provided bit-level location information.

30. The system of claim 25, wherein the write system comprises:

a write programmable table (WPT) preprogrammed with bit-level destination information related to the array of storage elements; and

a write selector block coupled to the WPT and configured to, when enabled, write particular bits of the data to the selected storage elements based upon the bit-level destination information provided by the WPT.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the bit-level destination information comprises:

write-enable information communicating which storage elements of the array of storage elements shall be enabled for each of the plurality of register formats; and

bit selection information communicating which bit of the data to write to each enabled storage element for each of the plurality of register formats.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the WPT is configured to be queried by a desired register format of the plurality of register formats, and wherein the bit-level destination information provided to the write selector block is related to the desired register format.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the write selector block comprises a bit-selector block for each storage element of the array of storage elements, wherein each bit-selector block comprises means for selecting the proper bit of data to write to its respective storage element based upon the provided bit-level destination information.

34. The system of claim 25, wherein the plurality of register formats are application specific.

35. A system for parsing and modifying data stored in an array of storage elements, the system comprising:

means for receiving a desired parsing format of a plurality of register formats, wherein the data is to be output in the desired parsing format;

means for determining which storage element is to be accessed for each bit of the desired parsing format; and

means for outputting the data in the desired parsing format;

wherein the plurality of register formats comprises;

a first set of register formats corresponding to a packed representation of the data; and

a second set of register formats corresponding to an unpacked representation of the data.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the means for determining comprises:

means for querying a look-up table with the desired parsing format, wherein the look-up table stores mapping information indicating which storage element is to be accessed for each bit of each register format of the plurality of register formats.

37. The system of claim 36, further comprising:

means for receiving an index relating to a subsection of the mapping information, wherein each subsection of the mapping information comprises a different plurality of register formats; and

wherein the means for determining further comprises;

means for querying the look-up-table with the desired register format of the plurality of register formats related to the received index.

38. The system of claim 36, wherein the means for outputting the data comprises:

means for receiving the mapping information; and

means for accessing the array of storage elements by utilizing the mapping information.

39. The system of claim 35, further comprising:

means for receiving the data to be written;

means for receiving a desired write format of the plurality of register formats, wherein the data to be written to the array of storage elements is in the desired write format;

means for determining which storage element is to be written to for each bit of the desired write format; and

means for providing for each bit of the data to be written to a proper storage element based upon the desired write format.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein the means for determining comprises:

means for querying a look-up table with the desired write format, wherein the look-up table stores mapping information indicating which storage element is to be written to for each bit of each register format of the plurality of register formats.

41. The system of claim 40, further comprising:

means for receiving an index relating to a subsection of the mapping information, wherein each subsection of the mapping information comprises a different plurality of register formats; and

wherein the means for determining further comprises;

means for querying the look-up-table with the desired register format of the plurality of register formats related to the received index.

42. The system of claim 40, wherein the means for providing comprises:

means for receiving the mapping information; and

means for enabling selected storage elements to receive selected bits of the data based on the received mapping information.

43. A method for parsing and modifying data stored in an array of storage elements, the method comprising:

receiving a desired parsing format of a plurality of register formats, wherein the data is to be output in the desired parsing format;

determining which storage element is to be accessed for each bit of the desired parsing format; and

outputting the data in the desired parsing format;

wherein the plurality of register formats comprises;

a first set of register formats corresponding to a packed representation of the data; and

a second set of register formats corresponding to an unpacked representation of the data.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein determining comprises:

querying a look-up table with the desired parsing format, wherein the look-up table stores mapping information indicating which storage element is to be accessed for each bit of each register format of the plurality of register formats.

45. The method of claim 44, further comprising:

receiving an index relating to a subsection of the mapping information, wherein each subsection of the mapping information comprises a different plurality of register formats; and

wherein determining further comprises;

querying the look-up-table with the desired register format of the plurality of register formats related to the received index.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein outputting the data comprises:

receiving the mapping information; and

accessing the array of storage elements by utilizing the mapping information.

47. The method of claim 43, further comprising:

receiving the data to be written;

receiving a desired write format of the plurality of register formats, wherein the data to be written to the array of storage elements is in the desired write format;

determining which storage element is to be written to for each bit of the desired write format; and

providing for each bit of the data to be written to a proper storage element based upon the desired write format.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein determining comprises:

querying a look-up table with the desired write format, wherein the look-up table stores mapping information indicating which storage element is to be written to for each bit of each register format of the plurality of register formats.

49. The method of claim 48, further comprising:

receiving an index relating to a subsection of the mapping information, wherein each subsection of the mapping information comprises a different plurality of register formats; and

wherein determining further comprises;

querying the look-up-table with the desired register format of the plurality of register formats related to the received index.

50. The method of claim 48, wherein providing comprises:

receiving the mapping information; and

enabling selected storage elements to receive selected bits of the data based on the received mapping information.