Multiprocessor communication method and apparatus
US4698746A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 25, 1983 |
| Grant date | Oct 6, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 25, 2003 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F15/167
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for synchronizing communication between a plurality of processors which communicate with one another over a system bus wherein sending processors seek to transfer information to target processors. Means are provided for each processor to store information to be transferred, for receiving a request signal from a sending processor, and for receiving an acknowledgment signal from a target processor, wherein the sending processor provides a request signal to the target processor, with the target processor thereafter accessing the contents of the storing means of the sending processor. Upon completion of retrieval by the target processor of information from the storing means, the target processor writes an acknowledgment signal into the means for receiving an acknowledgment signal associated with the sending processor. The present invention thus permits efficient data transfer between a plurality of processors while permitting each processor to retrieve data which is sought to be transferred to it, at a point in time which is selected by the target processor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.