摘要:
An integrated circuit is provided to convert an analog telephone signal into a digital format. The integrated circuit includes an analog-digital converter coupled to an averager. Sampled analog values are averaged at intervals and compared to a threshold level to determine a digital value.
摘要:
A system for reducing electromagnetic interference emissions is described. The system can include a network interface card with an Ethernet controller circuit. The Ethernet controller circuit generates an Ethernet output signal that includes a pre-emphasis component and a data component. The Ethernet controller circuit monitors the Ethernet output signal and adjusts the levels of the pre-emphasis component and the data component to reduce the electromagnetic interference caused by the network interface card but still fit the requirements for valid Ethernet signals.
摘要:
A system for reducing electromagnetic interference emissions is described. The system can include a network interface card with an Ethernet controller circuit. The Ethernet controller circuit uses a pair of programmable digital to analog converters to generate an Ethernet output signal that includes a pre-emphasis component and a data component. The Ethernet controller circuit monitors the Ethernet output signal and adjust the levels of the pre-emphasis component and the data component by adjusting the values to the digital to analog converters. By making these adjustments, the system reduces the electromagnetic interference caused by the network interface card but maintains valid Ethernet signals.
摘要:
A scaleable priority arbiter for arbitrating between multiple FIFO entry points of a network interface card (NIC). The circuit provides a separate FIFO entry point circuit within the NIC for each data packet priority type. Exemplary priority types, from highest to lowest, include isochronous, priority 1, priority 2, . . . , priority n. A separate set of FIFO entry points are provided for NIC transmitting (Tx) and for NIC receiving (Rx). For each of the Tx FIFO entry points, a single Tx entry point register is seen by the processor and multiple downlist pointers are also maintained. The Tx entry point registers all feed a scaleable priority arbiter which selects the next message for transmission. The scaleable priority arbiter is made of scaleable circuit units that contain a sequential element controlling a multiplexer. The multiplexer selects between two inputs, a first input is dedicated to data packets of the priority type corresponding to the circuit stage and the other input comes from the lower priority chain. In one embodiment, timers regulate the transmission of isochronous packets. The arbiter transmits the isochronous packet, if any, with the timer and otherwise allows the next stage a transmit turn. The next stage checks if a priority 1 packet is present and if a priority 1 packet was not sent the last time its turn was reached. If yes, the priority 1 packet is sent, if not, then the above decision is repeated with respect to the next lower priority circuit stage. Priority arbitration improves quality of service performance.
摘要:
A slave interface circuit for providing communication between a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus domain and an ASB (Advanced System Bus) bus domain. The novel circuit is an integrated interface for communicating using the AMBA (Advanced Microcontroller Bus Architecture) ASB protocol and translating ASB commands into PCI like commands. Embodiments include interfaces that are particularly suited for FPGA (field programmable gate array) and ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) implementations. A high-speed embodiment is also discussed allowing prefetch functionality. Input latches catch ASB commands on the falling edge of the ASB clock and then circuits reformat the data using size information and address bits from the ASB bus. This allows byte, halfword and word accesses. Byte readback data are provided on all four byte lanes and halfword readback data are provided on both halfword lanes. The reformatted data is latched into a set of request registers on the next rising edge of the ASB clock. During an ASB read request, the read data is latched on the rising edge of the ASB clock such that the ASB master agent can latch its requested data on the next falling edge of the ASB clock. The other handshake signals are latched on the falling edge of the ASB clock. An ASB master agent can sense the handshake on the rising edge of the ASB clock. Pipeline architecture allows the bus protocols to operate at optimum speed and supports the natural flow of data between the ASB and PCI domains without the need for wait cycles. Pipelined ASB burst cycles are supported.
摘要:
A first-in-first-out (FIFO) entry point circuit for a network interface card. The novel circuit of the present invention provides a FIFO entry point circuit within a network interface card (NIC). The FIFO implementation allows multiple downlist pointers to be maintained within the transmit (Tx) FIFO entry point circuit and also allows multiple uplist pointers to be maintained for the receive (Rx) FIFO entry point circuit. For the Tx FIFO entry point circuit, only one register is visible to the processor which can load a memory pointer into the entry point thereby placing the memory pointer on the bottom on the FIFO. Only one register is seen for the Rx FIFO entry point circuit. With respect to the Tx FIFO entry point circuit, the NIC takes the oldest entry, obtains the packet from memory that is indicated by the corresponding pointer and transmits the packet onto a network. If the packet points to a next packet, then that next packet is sent, otherwise the next pointer of the Tx FIFO entry point is then processed by the NIC. Signals indicate when the Rx or Tx FIFO entry points are full. An analogous process operates for the Rx FIFO entry point. Providing a queued entry point reduces processor utilization and PCI bus utilization in communicating packets with the network because memory pointers can be directly pushed onto the transmit FIFO by the processor without encountering race conditions. Providing a queued entry point also increases NIC efficiency by avoiding processor initiated NIC stalls. Both improve quality of service performance.
摘要:
A byte accessible memory interface circuit using a reduced set of memory control signals. The present invention includes an interface circuit having a reduced set of memory control signals for performing word length reads and writes to an external memory module containing a plurality of integrated circuit (IC) memory chips. The interface circuit contains a respective multiplexer and a respective register circuit for each byte of the word length data. The multiplexers select a byte of data from either an on-chip data bus or from a bus carrying data read from the external memory module. To perform a full length word write, the data from the on-chip bus is loaded into the registers (via the multiplexers) and then written to the memory module. To perform a partial length word write, a pre-read operation is performed at the target address and a word length data is loaded into the registers. The new data is then received over the on-chip data bus and routed by the multiplexers into the byte locations to be changed. The properly merged data is then written as a full length word to the memory module. To perform a full length word read, a word of data is loaded into the byte registers and then forwarded over the on-chip data bus. By the provision of a pre-read operation, all of the IC memory chips can share the same chip enable, output enable and write enable control signals thereby reducing pin count on the integrated circuit that contains the interface circuit.
摘要:
A system comprising the following elements. An ethernet controller circuit for generating ethernet data signals. An isolation circuit coupled to receive the ethernet data signals and for generating ethernet output signals. The ethernet output signals including primarily a first sine wave signal, a second sign wave signal, and a set of signals. The first sine wave signal is at a frequency approximately equal to the frequency of the ethernet data signals. The second sine wave signal is at a frequency approximately one half the frequency of the first sine wave signal. The third set of signals is for transitioning between said first sine wave signal and said second sine wave signal. In this embodiment, the high frequency components of the output signals is significantly reduced, which results in reduced electromagnetic interference from the system.
摘要:
NMOS transistor buffers are used to buffer the output of a system. The system can include a network interface card. The NMOS transistor buffers receive the output of the shaped Ethernet data signals and drive a transformer. The NMOS transistor buffers allow for low power consumption while a feedback monitoring system provides stability by controlling the inputs to the NMOS transistors.
摘要:
A method and circuit for handshaking information across multiple clock domains within an electronic system. The environment of the present invention includes an electronic or computerized system having at least two subsystem domains (a first domain and a second domain) operating at different clock rates (a first clock and a second clock). The present invention includes a handshake circuit coupled between the first and second domains for providing the required handshaking signals to control the transfer of data between the first domain (master) and the second domain (slave). An information bus is coupled between the domains. The handshake circuit is such that double synchronization is not required and the design of the present invention is dynamic such that it is operable between clock domains of varying frequency. The present invention utilizes the asynchronous input of a flip-flop circuit to catch the pertinent handshaking signals between clock domains. The D input and the clock input of the flip-flop circuit are coupled to the master clock domain and the master clock domain receives a ready signal back. When ready is asserted, the master domain may assert a request (from the master domain) over the D input and hold data. The Q output is coupled to a request (to the slave domain) which is also coupled as an input to a NOR circuit. An acknowledge signal is coupled to the asynchronous flip-flip input as a clear and also coupled to the second input of the NOR circuit. The output of the NOR circuit generates the ready signal.