Abstract: A method for managing an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) cell includes transmitting an ATM cell from a server system to a broadband modem. The ATM cell is forwarded from the broadband modem to a client system.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a new system for transferring data between a network and hosts coupled to the network. The system uses an adapter, that is coupled between the host and the network, to allow segmenting and reassembling cells directly in the host memory. The present invention also teaches a pipelined DMA architecture to overcome the problem of the interruption of the DMA operation when switching from one virtual circuit to the next. This architecture depends on fast access to a local memory used for storing buffer descriptors for each virtual circuit. In this architecture, a two stage pipeline is used with the first stage performing the local memory access while the second stage performs the DMA transfers. When the pipeline is filled, both stages will operate in parallel yielding significant gain in performance due to continuous operation of the DMA.

Abstract: A data processor is described. The data processor is capable of decoding and executing the first instruction of a first instruction set and the second instruction of a second instruction set wherein the first instruction and the second instruction originate from a single computer program. Alternatively, the data processor can also execute a first instruction of a first instruction set in a first instruction set mode, receive a first interruption indication in the first instruction set mode, service the first interruption indication in a second instruction set mode, return to the first instruction set mode, receive a second interruption indication in the first instruction set mode, and service the second interruption indication in the first instruction set mode.

Abstract: An address translator and a method for translating a linear address into a physical address for memory management in a computer is described herein. Different memory sizes, and different page sizes can be selected. The address translator can translate from a standard 32-bit linear address for compatibility with previous 32-bit architectures, and can also translate to a physical memory size with a larger physical address than linear address; i.e., greater than 32 bits (e.g. 36 bits and up), with no increase in access time. The address translator translates a linear address that includes an offset and a plurality of fields used to select entries in a plurality of tables. The format of the linear address into fields is dependent upon the selected memory size and the selected page size.

Abstract: A multi-processor programmable interrupt controller system which includes: an I/O interrupt controller for receiving interrupt requests from an I/O subsystem; multiple processor interrupt controllers, each associated with a specific processor for dispensing of accepted interrupts; and an interrupt controller bus primarily for the transmission of interrupt requests between interrupt controller units and for priority arbitration, using a standard message format and arbitration protocol.

Abstract: An input/output processor architecture for providing an interface between peripheral subsystems and a generalized data processor. The interface processor enables data to be transferred between two address spaces (the generalized data processor address space and an external processor I/O address space) by mapping a portion of the I/O address space into a portion of the GDP address space. This mapping facility provides the peripheral subsystem with a "window" into the associated GDP subsystem. It accepts addresses within a certain subrange, or subranges, and translates them into references into one or more GDP data segments.A function-request facility provides a functional capability over certain objects within the GDP address space.