US5758106A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Arbitration unit which requests control of the system bus prior to determining whether such control is required
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
•
Filing: 1996-10-30
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Granted: 1998-05-26
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Expires: 2016-10-30
Abstract
Abstract A commander module including means for determining whether control of a system bus is required, means for requesting control of the system bus, prior to determining whether such control is required, and means, responsive to the determining means, for indicating that control of the system bus is required. A computer system including the system bus and at least two such commander modules coupled to the system bus and including means for arbitrating for control of the system bus including means for granting control of the system bus to one of the commander modules indicating that control of the system bus is required and having the highest arbitration priority among those commander modules also indicating that control of the system bus is required.
Inventors
- 👤 David M. Fenwick
- 👤 Denis Foley
- 👤 Stephen R. Van Doren
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 09:19
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F13/00; G06F13/14; G06F13/36; G06F13/368
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
278 words
A commander module comprising: means for determining whether control of a system bus is required; means for requesting control of said system bus, prior to said determining means determining whether such control is required; means, responsive to said determining means, for indicating that control of said system bus is required, said system bus including system bus control request signals, said commander module being associated with one of said system bus control request signals, and said indicating means indicating that control of said system bus is required by asserting said associated system bus control request signal during at least a fixed number of consecutive request cycles; and means, responsive to said system bus control request signals, for arbitrating for control of said system bus, comprising: first means for granting control of said system bus to said commander module when said associated system bus control request signal is asserted for at least said fixed number of consecutive request cycles and has a higher arbitration priority than other commander modules associated with others of said system bus control request signals asserted for said fixed number of consecutive request cycles; and second means for granting control of said system bus to said commander module when said associated system bus control request signal is asserted for less than said fixed number of consecutive request cycles and has a higher arbitration priority than said other commander modules associated with others of said system bus control request signals asserted for less than said fixed number of consecutive request cycles when those of said system bus control request signals which are asserted have only been asserted for less than said fixed number of consecutive request cycles.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
278 words
A commander module comprising: means for determining whether control of a system bus is required; means for requesting control of said system bus, prior to said determining means determining whether such control is required; means, responsive to said determining means, for indicating that control of said system bus is required, said system bus including system bus control request signals, said commander module being associated with one of said system bus control request signals, and said indicating means indicating that control of said system bus is required by asserting said associated system bus control request signal during at least a fixed number of consecutive request cycles; and means, responsive to said system bus control request signals, for arbitrating for control of said system bus, comprising: first means for granting control of said system bus to said commander module when said associated system bus control request signal is asserted for at least said fixed number of consecutive request cycles and has a higher arbitration priority than other commander modules associated with others of said system bus control request signals asserted for said fixed number of consecutive request cycles; and second means for granting control of said system bus to said commander module when said associated system bus control request signal is asserted for less than said fixed number of consecutive request cycles and has a higher arbitration priority than said other commander modules associated with others of said system bus control request signals asserted for less than said fixed number of consecutive request cycles when those of said system bus control request signals which are asserted have only been asserted for less than said fixed number of consecutive request cycles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The commander module according to claim 1, wherein said arbitrating means is a distributed arbitration mechanism.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
69 words
The commander module according to claim 1, wherein said system bus includes lines for said commander module to transmit command signals, and wherein said arbitration means further includes means for forcing a no-operation comand on each system bus command signals if said commander module is granted control of said system bus by said arbitration means and said determining means determines that control of said system bus is not required.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
78 words
The commanded module according to claim 1, wherein said system bus includes low priority system bus control request signals and high priority system bus control request signals, said commander module is associated with one of said low priority system bus control request signals and one of said high priority system bus control request signals, and said indicating means indicates that control of said system bus is required by asserting said associated high priority system bus control request signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
86 words
The commander module according to claim 4, further comprising: means, responsive to said high priority system bus control request signals and to said low priority system bus control request signals, for arbitrating for control of said system bus, comprising: first means for granting control of said system bus to said commander module when said associated high priority system bus control request signal is asserted and has a higher arbitration priority than other commander modules associated with other asserted said high priority system bus control request signals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
72 words
The commander module according to claim 5, wherein said arbitrating means further includes: second means for granting control of said system bus to said commander module when said associated low priority system bus control request signal is asserted and has a higher arbitration priority than said other commander modules associated with other asserted said low priority system bus control request signals when said high priority system bus control request signals are deasserted.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
69 words
The commander module according to claim 5, wherein said system bus includes lines for said commander module to transmit command signals, and wherein said arbitration means further includes means for forcing a no-operation command on said system bus command signals if said commander module is granted control of said system bus by said arbitration means and said determining means determines that control of said system bus is not required.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The commander module according to claim 4, wherein said arbitrating means is a distributed arbitration mechanism.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The commander module according to claim 1, wherein said system bus includes a pipelined address bus having a first bandwidth and a pipelined data bus having a second bandwidth.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The commander module according to claim 1, wherein said system bus includes a combination address/data bus.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
131 words
A commander module comprising: means for determining whether control of a system bus is required; means for requesting control of said system bus, prior to said determining means determining whether such control is required; means, responsive to said determining means, for indicating that control of said system bus is required, wherein said system bus includes low priority system bus control request signals and high priority system bus control request signals, said commander module is associated with one of said low priority system bus control request signals and one of said high priority system bus control request signals, and said indicating means indicates that control of said system bus is required by asserting both said associated low priority system bus control request signal and said high priority system bus control request signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
131 words
A commander module comprising: means for determining whether control of a system bus is required; means for requesting control of said system bus, prior to said determining means determining whether such control is required; means, responsive to said determining means, for indicating that control of said system bus is required, wherein said system bus includes low priority system bus control request signals and high priority system bus control request signals, said commander module is associated with one of said low priority system bus control request signals and one of said high priority system bus control request signals, and said indicating means indicates that control of said system bus is required by asserting both said associated low priority system bus control request signal and said high priority system bus control request signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
86 words
The commander module according to claim 11, further comprising: means, responsive to said high priority system bus control request signals and to said low priority system bus control request signals, for arbitrating for control of said system bus, comprising: first means for granting control of said system bus to said commander module when said associated high priority system bus control request signal is asserted and has a higher arbitration priority than other commander modules associated with other asserted said high priority system bus control request signals.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
70 words
The commander module according to claim 12, wherein said system bus includes lines for said commander module to transmit command signals, and wherein said arbitration means further includes means for forcing a no-operation command on a said system bus command signals if said commander module is granted control of said system bus by said arbitration means and said determining means determines that control of said system bus is not required.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
72 words
The commander module according to claim 11, wherein said arbitrating means further includes: second means for granting control of said system bus to said commander module when said associated low priority system bus control request signal is asserted and has a higher arbitration priority than said other commander modules associated with other asserted said low priority system bus control request signals when said high priority system bus control request signals are deasserted.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The commander module according to claim 11, wherein said arbitrating means is a distributed arbitration mechanism.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
284 words
A computer system, comprising: a system bus, said system bus including system bus control request signals; at least two commander modules coupled to said system bus, each of said commander modules being associated with one of said system bus control request signals and including: means for determining whether control of said system bus is required; means for re questing control of said system bus, prior to said determining means determining whether such control is required; and means, responsive to said determining means, for indicating that control of said system bus is required by asserting said associated system bus control request signal during at least a fixed number of consecutive request cycles; and means, responsive to said indicating means, for arbitrating for control of said system bus, said arbitrating means including: first means for granting control of said system bus to said commander module when said associated system bus control request signal is asserted for at least said fixed number of consecutive request cycles and has a higher arbitration priority than other commander modules associated with others of said system bus control request signals asserted for said fixed number of consecutive request cycles; and second means for granting control of said system bus to said commander module when said associated system bus control request signal is asserted for less than said fixed number of consecutive request cycles and has a higher arbitration priority than said other commander modules associated with others of said system bus control request signals asserted for less than said fixed number of consecutive request cycles when those of said system bus control request signals which are asserted have only been asserted for less than said fixed number of consecutive request cycles.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
284 words
A computer system, comprising: a system bus, said system bus including system bus control request signals; at least two commander modules coupled to said system bus, each of said commander modules being associated with one of said system bus control request signals and including: means for determining whether control of said system bus is required; means for re questing control of said system bus, prior to said determining means determining whether such control is required; and means, responsive to said determining means, for indicating that control of said system bus is required by asserting said associated system bus control request signal during at least a fixed number of consecutive request cycles; and means, responsive to said indicating means, for arbitrating for control of said system bus, said arbitrating means including: first means for granting control of said system bus to said commander module when said associated system bus control request signal is asserted for at least said fixed number of consecutive request cycles and has a higher arbitration priority than other commander modules associated with others of said system bus control request signals asserted for said fixed number of consecutive request cycles; and second means for granting control of said system bus to said commander module when said associated system bus control request signal is asserted for less than said fixed number of consecutive request cycles and has a higher arbitration priority than said other commander modules associated with others of said system bus control request signals asserted for less than said fixed number of consecutive request cycles when those of said system bus control request signals which are asserted have only been asserted for less than said fixed number of consecutive request cycles.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
216 words
A commander module comprising: means for determining whether control of a system bus is required, said system bus including system bus control request signals, said commander module associated with one of said system bus control request signals; means for requesting control of said system bus, prior to said determining means determining whether such control is required; means, responsive to said determining means, for indicating that control of said system bus is required by asserting said associated system bus control request signal during at least a fixed number of consecutive request cycles; means, responsive to said system bus control request signals, for arbitrating for control of said system bus, including: first means for granting control of said system bus to said commander module when said associated system bus control request signal is asserted for at least said fixed number of consecutive request cycles and has a higher arbitration priority than other commander modules associated with others of said system bus control request signals asserted for said fixed number of consecutive request cycles; and wherein said arbitration means further includes means for removing an arbitration request if said determining means determines that control of said system bus is not required and said commander module has not yet been granted control of said system bus by said arbitration means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
216 words
A commander module comprising: means for determining whether control of a system bus is required, said system bus including system bus control request signals, said commander module associated with one of said system bus control request signals; means for requesting control of said system bus, prior to said determining means determining whether such control is required; means, responsive to said determining means, for indicating that control of said system bus is required by asserting said associated system bus control request signal during at least a fixed number of consecutive request cycles; means, responsive to said system bus control request signals, for arbitrating for control of said system bus, including: first means for granting control of said system bus to said commander module when said associated system bus control request signal is asserted for at least said fixed number of consecutive request cycles and has a higher arbitration priority than other commander modules associated with others of said system bus control request signals asserted for said fixed number of consecutive request cycles; and wherein said arbitration means further includes means for removing an arbitration request if said determining means determines that control of said system bus is not required and said commander module has not yet been granted control of said system bus by said arbitration means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The commander module according to claim 17, wherein said each commander module maintains its current arbitration priority level.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
275 words
A method of operating a commander module, comprising the steps of: determining whether control of a system bus is required; requesting control of said system bus, prior to said determining whether such control is required; indicating, responsive to determining control of said bus is required, that control of said system bus is required, said system bus including system bus control request signals, said commander module being associated with one of said system bus control request signals, said indicating that control of said system bus is required performed by asserting said associated system bus control request signal during at least a fixed number of consecutive request cycles; and arbitrating for control of said system bus, responsive to said system bus control request signals, said step of arbitrating including: granting control of said system bus to said commander module when said associated system bus control request signal is asserted for at least said fixed number of consecutive request cycles and has a higher arbitration priority than other commander modules associated with others of said system bus control request signals asserted for said fixed number of consecutive request cycles; and granting control of said system bus to said commander module when said associated system bus control request signal is asserted for less than said fixed number of consecutive request cycles and has a higher arbitration priority than said other commander modules associated with others of said system bus control request signals asserted for less than said fixed number of consecutive request cycles when those of said system bus control request signals which are asserted have only been asserted for less than said fixed number of consecutive request cycles.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
275 words
A method of operating a commander module, comprising the steps of: determining whether control of a system bus is required; requesting control of said system bus, prior to said determining whether such control is required; indicating, responsive to determining control of said bus is required, that control of said system bus is required, said system bus including system bus control request signals, said commander module being associated with one of said system bus control request signals, said indicating that control of said system bus is required performed by asserting said associated system bus control request signal during at least a fixed number of consecutive request cycles; and arbitrating for control of said system bus, responsive to said system bus control request signals, said step of arbitrating including: granting control of said system bus to said commander module when said associated system bus control request signal is asserted for at least said fixed number of consecutive request cycles and has a higher arbitration priority than other commander modules associated with others of said system bus control request signals asserted for said fixed number of consecutive request cycles; and granting control of said system bus to said commander module when said associated system bus control request signal is asserted for less than said fixed number of consecutive request cycles and has a higher arbitration priority than said other commander modules associated with others of said system bus control request signals asserted for less than said fixed number of consecutive request cycles when those of said system bus control request signals which are asserted have only been asserted for less than said fixed number of consecutive request cycles.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 19, wherein said arbitrating is distributed arbitration.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 19, wherein said system bus includes lines for said commander module to transmit command signals, and wherein said arbitrating further includes forcing a no-operation command on said system bus command signals if said commander module is granted control of said system bus and said control of said system bus is not required.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method of claim 19, wherein said system bus includes low priority system bus control request signals and high priority system bus control request signals, said commander module is associated with one of said low priority system bus control request signals and one of said high priority system bus control request signals, and said indicating that control of said system bus is required is performed by asserting said associated high priority system bus control request signal.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of operating a commander module, comprising the steps of: determining whether control of a system bus is required; requesting control of said system bus, prior to said determining whether such control is required; indicating that control of said system bus is required, responsive to said determining control of said system bus is required, wherein said system bus includes low priority system bus control request signals and high priority system bus control request signals, said commander module is associated with one of said low priority system bus control request signals and one of said high priority system bus control request signals, said indicating that control of said system bus is required performed by asserting both said associated low priority system bus control request signal and said high priority system bus control request signal.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of operating a commander module, comprising the steps of: determining whether control of a system bus is required; requesting control of said system bus, prior to said determining whether such control is required; indicating that control of said system bus is required, responsive to said determining control of said system bus is required, wherein said system bus includes low priority system bus control request signals and high priority system bus control request signals, said commander module is associated with one of said low priority system bus control request signals and one of said high priority system bus control request signals, said indicating that control of said system bus is required performed by asserting both said associated low priority system bus control request signal and said high priority system bus control request signal.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
82 words
The method according to claim 23, further comprising: arbitrating for control of said system bus, responsive to said high priority system bus control request signals and to said low priority system bus control request signals, said arbitrating including granting control of said system bus to said commander module when said associated high priority system bus control request signal is asserted and has a higher arbitration priority than other commander modules associated with other asserted said high priority system bus control request signals.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 24, wherein said system bus includes lines for said commander module to transmit command signals, and wherein arbitrating further includes forcing a no-operation command on said system bus command signals if said command module is granted control of said system bus and control of said system bus is not required.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 23, further comprising: granting control of said system bus to said commander module when said associated low priority system bus control request signal is asserted and has a higher arbitration priority than said other commander modules associated with other asserted said low priority system bus control request signals when said high priority system bus control request signals are deasserted.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 23, wherein said arbitrating is distributed arbitration.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
289 words
A method of operating a computer system, said computer system including a system bus, said system bus including system bus control request signals, said computer system further including at least two commander modules coupled to said system bus, each of said commander modules being associated with one of said system bus control request signals, comprising the steps of: determining whether control of said system bus is required; requesting control of said system bus, prior to said determining whether control of said system bus is required; indicating, responsive to said determining whether control of said system bus is required, that control of said system bus is required by asserting said associated system bus control request signal during at least a fixed number of consecutive request cycles; and arbitrating for control of said system bus, responsive to said indicating, said arbitrating means including: granting control of said system bus to said commander module when said associated system bus control request signal is asserted for at least said fixed number of consecutive request cycles and has a higher arbitration priority than other commander modules associated with others of said system bus control request signals asserted for said fixed number of consecutive request cycles; and granting control of said system bus to said commander module when said associated system bus control request signal is asserted for less than said fixed number of consecutive request cycles and has a higher arbitration priority than said other command modules associated with others of said system bus control request signals asserted for less than said fixed number of consecutive request cycles when those of said system bus control request signals which are asserted have only been asserted for less than said fixed number of consecutive request cycles.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
289 words
A method of operating a computer system, said computer system including a system bus, said system bus including system bus control request signals, said computer system further including at least two commander modules coupled to said system bus, each of said commander modules being associated with one of said system bus control request signals, comprising the steps of: determining whether control of said system bus is required; requesting control of said system bus, prior to said determining whether control of said system bus is required; indicating, responsive to said determining whether control of said system bus is required, that control of said system bus is required by asserting said associated system bus control request signal during at least a fixed number of consecutive request cycles; and arbitrating for control of said system bus, responsive to said indicating, said arbitrating means including: granting control of said system bus to said commander module when said associated system bus control request signal is asserted for at least said fixed number of consecutive request cycles and has a higher arbitration priority than other commander modules associated with others of said system bus control request signals asserted for said fixed number of consecutive request cycles; and granting control of said system bus to said commander module when said associated system bus control request signal is asserted for less than said fixed number of consecutive request cycles and has a higher arbitration priority than said other command modules associated with others of said system bus control request signals asserted for less than said fixed number of consecutive request cycles when those of said system bus control request signals which are asserted have only been asserted for less than said fixed number of consecutive request cycles.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
211 words
A method of operating a commander module, comprising the steps of: determining whether control of a system bus is required, said system bus including system bus control request signals, said commander module associated with one of said system bus control request signals; requesting control of said system bus, prior to said determining whether such control is required; indicating that control of said system bus is required, responsive to said determining whether control of said system bus is required, by asserting said associated system bus control request signal during at least a fixed number of consecutive request cycles; arbitrating for control of said system bus, responsive to said system bus control request signals, said arbitrating including: granting control of said system bus to said commander module when said associated system bus control request signal is asserted for at least said fixed number of consecutive request cycles and has a higher arbitration priority than other commander modules associated with others of said system bus control request signals asserted for said fixed number of consecutive request cycles; and removing an arbitration request if said determining means determines that control of said system bus is not required and said commander module has not yet been granted control of said system bus by said arbitration means.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
211 words
A method of operating a commander module, comprising the steps of: determining whether control of a system bus is required, said system bus including system bus control request signals, said commander module associated with one of said system bus control request signals; requesting control of said system bus, prior to said determining whether such control is required; indicating that control of said system bus is required, responsive to said determining whether control of said system bus is required, by asserting said associated system bus control request signal during at least a fixed number of consecutive request cycles; arbitrating for control of said system bus, responsive to said system bus control request signals, said arbitrating including: granting control of said system bus to said commander module when said associated system bus control request signal is asserted for at least said fixed number of consecutive request cycles and has a higher arbitration priority than other commander modules associated with others of said system bus control request signals asserted for said fixed number of consecutive request cycles; and removing an arbitration request if said determining means determines that control of said system bus is not required and said commander module has not yet been granted control of said system bus by said arbitration means.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 29, wherein said each commander module maintains its current arbitration priority level.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-05-25 | 2001-11-24 | 2002-05-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-05-25 | 2005-11-24 | 2006-05-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-05-25 | 2009-11-24 | 2010-05-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |