System and method for fair arbitration on a multi-domain multiprocessor bus
US5509125A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 29, 1993 |
| Grant date | Apr 16, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 29, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F13/374
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A multi-domain, distributed arbitration system, and a method performed by a plurality of arbiters to control arbitration of requests for a multiprocessor system bus. The requests are generated by a plurality of nodes coupled to the multiprocessor system bus. The requests are presented on a plurality of arbitration request lines. Each node comprises one of the arbiters such that each arbiter is associated with a corresponding node. A plurality of domains are created by the arbiters based on a bit-wise combination of the requests on the arbitration lines. A priority is assigned to each domain relative to the other domains. Each arbiter monitors the requests on the arbitration request lines and generates an i.sub.-- win result that indicates whether or not the associated node is an overall arbitration winner if a request from that node is pending. In addition, the arbiters generate a who.sub.-- won result that indicates which node was the overall arbitration winner according to the assigned priorities.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.