US6041377A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for distributing interrupts in a scalable symmetric multiprocessor system without changing the bus width or bus protocol
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
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Filing: 1999-02-02
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Granted: 2000-03-21
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Expires: 2019-02-02
Abstract
Abstract A method for supporting multiple distributed interrupt controllers, designated as bus agents, in a symmetric multiprocessing system, which method includes the steps of assigning a unique identification number to each bus agent, receiving bus requests from the bus agents over four data lines in groups of four, and granting bus ownership to a selected one of the requesting bus agents. Similarly, a computer system that supports multiple distributed interrupt controllers, designated as bus agents, in a symmetric multiprocessing system, which computer system includes structure for assigning a unique identification number to each bus agent, four data lines for receiving bus requests from the bus agents in groups of four, and structure for granting bus ownership to a selected one of the requesting bus agents.
Inventors
- 👤 Dale J. Mayer
- 👤 Sompong Paul Olarig
- 👤 William F. Whiteman
- 👤 David F. Heinrich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 09:22
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F13/00; G06F13/14; G06F13/20; G06F13/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for supporting multiple distributed interrupt controllers, designated as bus agents, in a symmetric multiprocessing system, said method comprising the steps of: assigning a unique identification number to each bus agent; receiving bus requests from the bus agents over four data lines in groups of four; and granting bus ownership to a selected one of the requesting bus agents.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for supporting multiple distributed interrupt controllers, designated as bus agents, in a symmetric multiprocessing system, said method comprising the steps of: assigning a unique identification number to each bus agent; receiving bus requests from the bus agents over four data lines in groups of four; and granting bus ownership to a selected one of the requesting bus agents.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the existence of more than four bus agents requires multiple arbitration phases, and wherein up to thirty-two bus agents can be supported without changing bus protocol or width.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
A computer system that supports multiple distributed interrupt controllers, designated as bus agents, in a symmetric multiprocessing system, said computer system comprising: means for assigning a unique identification number to each bus agent; four data lines for receiving bus requests from the bus agents in groups of four; and means for granting bus ownership to a selected one of the requesting bus agents.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
A computer system that supports multiple distributed interrupt controllers, designated as bus agents, in a symmetric multiprocessing system, said computer system comprising: means for assigning a unique identification number to each bus agent; four data lines for receiving bus requests from the bus agents in groups of four; and means for granting bus ownership to a selected one of the requesting bus agents.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The computer system as set forth in claim 3, wherein the existence of more than four bus agents requires multiple arbitration phases, and wherein up to thirty-two bus agents can be supported without changing bus protocol or width.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer system as recited in claim 3, wherein said means for assigning comprises a central processor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer system as recited in claim 3, wherein said means for granting comprises a central programmable interrupt controller.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
130 words
A method of arbitrating bus control requests in a computer system of the type including one or more processing units, each of which is in communication with a corresponding bus agent; and a master arbiter with an internal arbitration pointer; the bus agents and the master arbiter being disposed on a programmable-interrupt-controller bus, the method comprising the steps of: initializing the contents of the internal arbitration pointer; asserting a bus control request signal by each bus agent, said asserting step being effectuated in groups of four if more than four bus agents are listed; and choosing a bus agent by the master arbiter based on an arbitration protocol, transmitting a bus message by the chosen bus agent, and updating the internal arbitration pointer to point to the chosen bus agent.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
130 words
A method of arbitrating bus control requests in a computer system of the type including one or more processing units, each of which is in communication with a corresponding bus agent; and a master arbiter with an internal arbitration pointer; the bus agents and the master arbiter being disposed on a programmable-interrupt-controller bus, the method comprising the steps of: initializing the contents of the internal arbitration pointer; asserting a bus control request signal by each bus agent, said asserting step being effectuated in groups of four if more than four bus agents are listed; and choosing a bus agent by the master arbiter based on an arbitration protocol, transmitting a bus message by the chosen bus agent, and updating the internal arbitration pointer to point to the chosen bus agent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of arbitrating bus control requests in a computer system as set forth in claim 7, further comprising the steps of: initializing an arbitration cycle if more than four bus agents are listed; and initializing a counter if more than four bus agents are listed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of arbitrating bus control requests in a computer system as set forth in claim 8, wherein said arbitration cycle is initialized by setting it to one and said counter is initialized by setting it to zero.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of arbitrating bus control requests in a computer system as set forth in claim 7, wherein said bus control request signal is asserted by pulling the bus agent's data line high.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
73 words
A computer system including a subsystem for arbitrating bus control requests of the type including one or more processing units, each of which is in communication with a corresponding bus agent, the bus agents being disposed on a programmable-interrupt-controller bus, the subsystem comprising: means for initializing an internal arbitration pointer; means for asserting a bus control request signal; means for choosing a listed bus agent; and means for updating said internal arbitration pointer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
73 words
A computer system including a subsystem for arbitrating bus control requests of the type including one or more processing units, each of which is in communication with a corresponding bus agent, the bus agents being disposed on a programmable-interrupt-controller bus, the subsystem comprising: means for initializing an internal arbitration pointer; means for asserting a bus control request signal; means for choosing a listed bus agent; and means for updating said internal arbitration pointer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer system as set forth in claim 11, wherein said means for asserting a bus control request comprises a signal generating means for generating an active high signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer system as set forth in claim 11, wherein said means for choosing comprises a central programmable interrupt controller, said central programmable interrupt controller being disposed on the programmable-interrupt-controller bus.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-03-21 | 2003-09-20 | 2004-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-03-21 | 2007-09-20 | 2008-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-03-21 | 2011-09-20 | 2012-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |