Apparatus and method for transferring data in a data storage subsystems wherein a multi-sector data transfer order is executed while a subsequent order is issued
US5664145A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 2, 1993 |
| Grant date | Sep 2, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 2, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/0673
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Described is a technique for transferring data between a device controller and a device in a data storage subsystem. The controller has a data buffer through which passes data being transferred to and from the device. The controller communicates with the device by means of low level multi sector Read/Write orders and the data requested by the controller is transferred between device and controller in the form of 32, 64 or 128 byte packets. The device has a relatively small data buffer which can store one packet of data at a time. While one order is executing on the device, the controller is able to issue subsequent orders. One of these orders is an EXTEND order which orders the device to continue reading beyond the data specified in the read order currently executing on the device. The EXTEND order also allows implementation of `back to back` writes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.