Abstract: The invention provides an interconnection architecture for semiconductor devices. Cross bar switches are traditionally placed in the center of the IC. However, this location may also be the preferred location for the centralized logic in the IC. This invention, known as a cross bar ring or CBR, provides cross bar switch functionality in a manner that can be easily distributed around the chip. Typically, it can fit in the routing channels between other functional blocks, thereby allowing other centralized functions to be placed in the center of the IC. The CBR is defined so that it can be partitioned into separate modules, which greatly aids in the placement and routing of wires. Furthermore, the architecture is defined such that the CBR can use storage elements, allowing it to be pipelined so that the wire distances can be increased while still maintaining a high internal clock speed.

Abstract: A system and method for selecting a fabric master using an announce phase and a own phase. During an announce phase a candidate master interrogates its Node Path Identifier to ensure that it has not already surrendered ownership to another node. If the candidate master has won the election, it then broadcasts its EUI with an indication that it is the new fabric master.