Abstract: A method of determining a time stamp for an event in a digital processing system, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining a coarse time stamp from a time stamp counter; obtaining timing correction data from one or more hardware components of the system; and adjusting the coarse time stamp value based on the timing correction data to provide a precision time stamp value.

Abstract: A low-latency network interface and complementary data management protocols are disclosed in this specification. The data management protocols reduce dedicated control exchanges between the network interface and a corresponding host computing system by consolidating control data with network data. The network interface may also facilitate port forwarding and data logging without an external network switch.

Abstract: This specification discloses a protocol agnostic networking apparatus and method of networking. The networking apparatus receives physical layer signal through a plurality of communications ports that interface with external computing systems. A crosspoint switch interconnects the communications ports with discrete reconfigurable data conduits. Each of the data conduits defines a transmission pathway between predetermined communications ports. A management module maintains the data conduits based on configuration commands received from an external computing system. The management module interfaces with the crosspoint switch to make and/or break data conduits responsive to received configuration commands.

Abstract: This specification discloses a protocol agnostic networking apparatus and method of networking. The networking apparatus receives physical layer signal through a plurality of communications ports that interface with external computing systems. A dynamic routing module interconnects the communications ports with discrete reconfigurable data conduits. Each of the data conduits defines a transmission pathway between predetermined communications ports. A management module maintains the data conduits based on routing commands received from an external computing system. The management module interfaces with the dynamic routing module to make and/or break data conduits responsive to received routing commands.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a broker's market access system for use in processing orders for transmission to a market exchange. General purpose computing systems, with appropriate operating systems and application software typically implement broker's market access systems. In this invention, the market access system is implemented by dedicated hardware in the form of programmable logic devices, such as field programmable logic devices, for speeding processing of client orders. In an embodiment, the dedicated hardware comprises an architecture including order processing engines arranged to parallel process multiple client orders.

Abstract: A communication interface (1) for an Automated Trading System is disclosed. The communications interface (1) has dedicated hardware (1) array to process messages (4) between an external network (2) and a matching engine (3) in the automated trading system.

Abstract: A communication interface (1) for an Automated Trading System is disclosed. The communications interface (1) has dedicated hardware (1) array to process messages (4) between an external network (2) and a matching engine (3) in the automated trading system.