Abstract:
A data processor and a method for processing data is disclosed. The processor has an input port for receiving packets of data to be processed. A master controller acts to analyze the packets and to provide a header including a list of processes to perform on the packet of data and an ordering thereof. The master controller is programmed with process related data relating to the overall processing function of the processor. The header is appended to the packet of data. The packet with the appended header information is stored within a buffer. A buffer controller acts to determine for each packet stored within the buffer based on the header within the packet a next processor to process the packet. The controller then provides the packet to the determined processor for processing. The processed packet is returned with some indication that the processing is done. For example, the process may be deleted from the list of processes. The buffer controller repeatedly makes a determination of a next process until there is no next process for a packet at which time it is provided to an output port.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus used within memory and data processing that reduces the number of references allowed in processor cache by using active rows to reject references that are less frequently used from the cache. Comparators within a memory controller are used to generate a signal indicative of a row hit or miss, which signal is then applied to one or more demultiplexers to enable or disable transfer of a memory reference to processor cache locations. The cache may be level one (L1) or level two (L2) caches including data and or instructions or some combination of L1, L2, data, and instructions.
Abstract:
A plurality of memory devices of mixed type (e.g., DRAMs, SRAMs, MRAMs and NAND-, NOR- and AND-type Flash memories) are serially interconnected. Each device has device type information on its device type. A specific device type (DT) and a device identifier (ID) contained in a serial input (SI) are fed to one device of the serial interconnection. The device determines whether the fed DT matches the DT of the device. In a case of match, a calculator included in the device performs calculation to generate an ID for another device and the fed ID is latched in a register of the device. The generated ID is transferred to another device of the serial interconnection. In a case of no match, the ID generation is skipped and no ID is generated for another device. Such a device type match determination and ID generation or skip are performed in all devices of the serial interconnection. In cases of different device types being separately provided to the interconnected devices, sequential IDs are generated in each of the different device types and also the total number of each device type are recognized. In a case of a “don't care” code is provided to the interconnected devices, sequential IDs are generated and also, the total number of the interconnected devices is recognized, regardless of the type differences.
Abstract:
A device for enabling a local area network wiring structure to simultaneously carry digital data and analog telephone signals on the same transmission medium. It is particularly applicable to a network in star topology, in which remote data units (e.g. personal computers) are each connected to a hub through a cable comprising at least two pairs of conductors, providing a data communication path in each direction. Modules at each end of the cable provide a phantom path for telephony (voice band), signals between a telephone near the data set and a PBX, through both conductor pairs in a phantom circuit arrangement. All such communication paths function simultaneously and without mutual interference. The modules comprise simple and inexpensive passive circuit components.
Abstract:
In a ring-of-clusters network topology, groups of slave devices are accessed in parallel, such that the latency around the ring is proportional to the number of clusters and not proportional to the number of integrated circuits. The devices of a cluster share input and output ring segments such that packets arriving on the input segment are received and interpreted by all the devices in a cluster. In other embodiments, none, some or all but one slaves per cluster are asleep or otherwise disabled so that they do not input and interpret incoming packets. Regardless, in all embodiments, the slaves of a cluster cooperate, potentially under the controller's direction, to ensure that at most one of them is actively driving the output segment at any given time. The devices may be addressed through a device ID, a cluster ID, or a combination thereof. Embodiments of the invention are suited to exploit multi-chip module implementations and forms of vertical circuit stacking.
Abstract:
A stack that includes non-volatile memory devices is disclosed. One of the non-volatile memory devices in the stack is a master device, and the remaining memory device or devices is a slave device(s).
Abstract:
A network for carrying out control, sensing and data communications, composed of a plurality of nodes. Each node may be connected to a payload, which includes sensors, actuators and DTE's. The network is formed using a plurality of independent communication links, each based on electrically-conducting communication media composed of at least two conductors and interconnecting two nodes, in a point-to-point configuration. During network operation, nodes can be dynamically configured as either data-generating nodes, wherein data is generated and transmitted into the network, or as receiver/repeater/router nodes, wherein received data is repeated from a receiver port to all output ports.
Abstract:
A memory system comprises a memory including a plurality of bits arranged as one or more words. Each bit in each word is capable of being programmed either to a particular logical state or to another logical state. A variable data width controller is in communication with the memory. The variable data width controller comprises an adder to determine a programming number of bits in a word to be programmed into a memory. Each bit to be programmed is in the particular logical state. A partitioning block divides the word in to two or more sub-words when the programming number exceeds a maximum number. A switch is in communication with the partitioning block. The switch sequentially provides one or more write pulses. Each write pulse enables a separate communication path between the memory and one of the word and the sub-words.
Abstract:
A frequency multiplier circuit comprising a delay line receiving at one end thereof a reference clock for generating clock tap outputs from respective ones of a plurality of period matched delay elements; a clock combining circuit responsive to pairs of tap outputs for generating a rising and falling edge of an output clock pulse from respective ones of the pairs whereby the output clock period is less than the input clock period.
Abstract:
A communication system having first and second states for use with a shared transmission line composed of at least two conductors and composed of first and second transmission line segments connected to each other at a single connection point. In the first state, a termination is coupled to the single connection point and is operative to at least attenuate a signal propagated between the first and second segments. In the second state, a driver is coupled to the connection point and is operative to conduct a signal over the first and second segments.