Improved pointer FIFO controller for converting a standard RAM into a simulated dual FIFO by controlling the RAM's address inputs
US4949301A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 6, 1986 |
| Grant date | Aug 14, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 6, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2205/066
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A RAM buffer controller for managing the address input lines of a RAM buffer to simulate the operation of two FIFO's therein. Apparatus is included for allowing random access by a node processor in a local area network node using the RAM buffer controller to manage "transmit and receive" FIFO's to have random access to any address in the address space of the buffer without restriction to FIFO boundaries. Apparatus is also included for transmitting packets from said buffer organized into one or two linked lists. Further, apparatus is included for allowing independent initialization of any of the pointers in the RAM buffer controller which are not currently selected, and for allowing software requests for read or write access by the node processor. Further, apparatus and a method are utilized for recording status and length information at the end of a packet instead of in front thereof and for allowing any incoming packet to be flushed without saving status information or to be flushed while saving its status information.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.