Asynchronous pipeline control interface using tag values to control passing data through successive pipeline stages
US6925549B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 21, 2000 |
| Grant date | Aug 2, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 28, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2207/3864
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and method for externally managing data within an asynchronous pipeline. The asynchronous pipeline over which control is sought includes a data path and a control path. In accordance with the method of the present invention, a data tag value is assigned to the data prior to its entry into the asynchronous pipeline. The data tag value is sent into the control path at the same time the data is sent into its data path such that the data tag value passes through the asynchronous pipeline in parallel with the data to which it is assigned. At a given stage within the asynchronous pipeline, the data tag value is compared with a control tag value, and only in response to the data tag value matching the control tag value is the data permitted to pass to the next stage within the asynchronous pipeline.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.