公开(公告)号：US09182811B2

公开(公告)日：2015-11-10

申请号：US13719535

申请日：2012-12-19

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Erik P Machnicki ,  Gurjeet S Saund ,  Munetoshi Fukami ,  Shane J Keil ,  Chaitanya Kosaraju ,  Erdem Guleyupoglu ,  Jason M Kassoff ,  Kevin C Wong

IPC: G06F1/32

CPC classification number: G06F1/3287 ,  G06F1/3206 ,  G06F1/3246 ,  G06F1/329 ,  G06F1/3293 ,  Y02D10/24 ,  Y02D50/20

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interfacing dynamic hardware power managed blocks and software power managed blocks is disclosed. In one embodiment, and integrated circuit (IC) may include a number of power manageable functional units. The functional units maybe power managed through hardware, software, or both. Each of the functional units may be coupled to at least one other functional unit through a direct communications link. A link state machine may monitor each of the communications links between functional units, and may broadcast indications of link availability to the functional units coupled to the link. Responsive to a software request to shut down a given link, or a hardware initiated shutdown of one of the functional units coupled to the link, the link state machine may broadcast and indication that the link is unavailable.

Abstract translation: 公开了用于接口动态硬件功率管理块和软件功率管理块的方法和装置。 在一个实施例中，集成电路（IC）可以包括多个功率可管理的功能单元。 功能单元可以通过硬件，软件或两者进行功率管理。 每个功能单元可以通过直接通信链路耦合到至少一个其它功能单元。 链路状态机可以监视功能单元之间的每个通信链路，并且可以将链路可用性的指示广播到耦合到链路的功能单元。 响应于关闭给定链路的软件请求或耦合到链路的功能单元之一的硬件启动关机，链路状态机可以广播并指示链路不可用。

公开(公告)号：US20140241376A1

公开(公告)日：2014-08-28

申请号：US13778482

申请日：2013-02-27

Applicant: APPLE INC.

Inventor： Deniz Balkan ,  Gurjeet S Saund ,  Kevin C Wong ,  Munetoshi Fukami

IPC: H04L12/56

CPC classification number: H04L47/6275 ,  H04L47/6205 ,  H04L47/6295 ,  H04W28/10

Abstract: Various embodiments of a method and apparatus for controlling transaction flow in a communications fabric is disclosed. In one embodiment, an IC includes a communications fabric connecting multiple agents to one another. Each agent may include an interface coupling itself to at least one other agent. Each interface may include multiple queues for storing information corresponding to pending transactions. Also included in each interface is an arbitration unit and control logic. The control logic may determine which transactions are presented to the arbitration unit for arbitration. In one embodiment, the control logic may inhibit certain transactions from being presented to the arbitration unit so that other higher priority transactions may advance. In another embodiment, the control logic may reduce the priority level of some transactions for arbitration purposes to prevent the blocking of other higher priority transactions.

Abstract translation: 公开了用于控制通信结构中的事务流的方法和装置的各种实施例。 在一个实施例中，IC包括将多个代理彼此连接的通信结构。 每个代理可以包括将自身耦合到至少一个其他代理的接口。 每个接口可以包括用于存储对应于待处理事务的信息的多个队列。 每个接口中还包括一个仲裁单元和控制逻辑。 控制逻辑可以确定哪些事务被呈现给仲裁单元进行仲裁。 在一个实施例中，控制逻辑可以禁止某些交易被呈现给仲裁单元，使得其他更高优先级的事务可以提前。 在另一个实施例中，控制逻辑可以减少用于仲裁目的的一些交易的优先级，以防止阻塞其他更高优先级的事务。

公开(公告)号：US09270610B2

公开(公告)日：2016-02-23

申请号：US13778482

申请日：2013-02-27

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Deniz Balkan ,  Gurjeet S Saund ,  Kevin C Wong ,  Munetoshi Fukami

IPC: H04L12/865 ,  H04L12/863 ,  H04W28/10

CPC classification number: H04L47/6275 ,  H04L47/6205 ,  H04L47/6295 ,  H04W28/10

Abstract: Various embodiments of a method and apparatus for controlling transaction flow in a communications fabric is disclosed. In one embodiment, an IC includes a communications fabric connecting multiple agents to one another. Each agent may include an interface coupling itself to at least one other agent. Each interface may include multiple queues for storing information corresponding to pending transactions. Also included in each interface is an arbitration unit and control logic. The control logic may determine which transactions are presented to the arbitration unit for arbitration. In one embodiment, the control logic may inhibit certain transactions from being presented to the arbitration unit so that other higher priority transactions may advance. In another embodiment, the control logic may reduce the priority level of some transactions for arbitration purposes to prevent the blocking of other higher priority transactions.

Abstract translation: 公开了用于控制通信结构中的事务流的方法和装置的各种实施例。 在一个实施例中，IC包括将多个代理彼此连接的通信结构。 每个代理可以包括将自身耦合到至少一个其他代理的接口。 每个接口可以包括用于存储对应于待处理事务的信息的多个队列。 每个接口中还包括一个仲裁单元和控制逻辑。 控制逻辑可以确定哪些事务被呈现给仲裁单元进行仲裁。 在一个实施例中，控制逻辑可以禁止某些交易被呈现给仲裁单元，使得其他更高优先级的事务可以提前。 在另一个实施例中，控制逻辑可以减少用于仲裁目的的一些交易的优先级，以防止阻塞其他更高优先级的事务。

公开(公告)号：US09229894B2

公开(公告)日：2016-01-05

申请号：US13859000

申请日：2013-04-09

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Deniz Balkan ,  Gurjeet S Saund ,  Joseph P Bratt ,  Kevin C Wong ,  Manu Gulati ,  Rohit K Gupta

IPC: G06F13/42 ,  G06F3/00 ,  G06F13/36 ,  G06F13/38

CPC classification number: G06F13/385

Abstract: Embodiments of a bridge circuit and system are disclosed that may allow converting transactions from one communication protocol to another. The bridge circuit may be coupled to a first bus employing a first communication protocol, and a second bus employing a second communication protocol. The second bus may include a plurality of virtual channels. The bridge circuit may be configured to receive transactions over the first bus, and convert the transactions to the second communication protocol, and to assign the converted transaction to one of the plurality of virtual channels. The bridge circuit may be further configured store the converted transaction. A plurality of limited throughput signals may be generated by the bridge circuit dependent upon a number of available credits for the plurality of virtual channels.

Abstract translation: 公开了桥接电路和系统的实施例，其可以允许将事务从一个通信协议转换到另一个通信协议。 桥接电路可以耦合到采用第一通信协议的第一总线，以及采用第二通信协议的第二总线。 第二总线可以包括多个虚拟通道。 桥接电路可以被配置为通过第一总线接收事务，并将事务转换为第二通信协议，并将转换的事务分配给多个虚拟通道中的一个。 可以进一步配置桥接电路来存储转换的事务。 取决于多个虚拟信道的可用信用数量，桥电路可以产生多个有限吞吐量信号。