Arbitration mechanism for a computer system having a unified memory architecture
US6330646A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 8, 1999 |
| Grant date | Dec 11, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 8, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F13/18
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
According to one embodiment, a computer system is disclosed that includes a memory and a memory controller coupled to the memory. The memory controller includes an arbitration unit that may be programmed to operate according to a first arbitration mode or a second arbitration mode. The computer system also includes a first device and a second device coupled to the arbitration unit. According to a further embodiment, the first device is assigned a higher priority classification than the second device for accessing the memory while the arbitration unit is operating according to the first arbitration mode. In addition, the first device and the second device are assigned equal priority classifications for accessing the memory while the arbitration unit is operating according to the second arbitration mode.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.