Abstract: Return path clocking mechanism for a system including a master device connected to a plurality of slave devices via a bus. The master device may first generate a global clock. The master device may transmit data to one or more of the slave devices at a rate of one bit per clock cycle. One or more of the slave devices may transmit data to the master device at a rate of one bit per two consecutive clock cycles. The master device may sample the transmitted data on the second cycle of each two consecutive clock cycle period. Alternatively, the slave devices may transmit data to the master device at a rate of one bit per N consecutive clock cycles, where N?2, and the master device may sample the transmitted data on the Nth cycle of each N consecutive clock cycle period.

Abstract: In-band event polling mechanism. A master device may initiate a polling transaction to poll at least a subset of a plurality of slave devices for event information. In response to the polling transaction, at least one of the subset of slave devices may transmit event information to the master device. The event information may correspond to at least one of a plurality of asynchronous event types. If the event type associated with the received event information is an event notification for an embedded processor of the master device, the master device may forward the event information to the embedded processor. Otherwise, if the event type associated with the received event information is an event notification for a device external to the master device (e.g., a host processor), the master device may translate the event information to a protocol associated with the event type and forward the event information to the external device.

Abstract: An automatic, adaptive voice/data Ethernet device with automatic assignment of quality of service is disclosed. When a “short” packet arrives (where short can be a default value or a configured value, if desired), it is tagged and a table is searched based upon the packet's information. If there is no table entry, the packet's arrival time and size are entered into the table. If a table entry is found, a new interval is calculated by subtracting the last arrival time from the tagged value. If the new interval is approximately the same as the old interval, then the packet is sent to the appropriate output queue. If the new interval time is different than the old interval, the interval value is cleared. The present invention can improve the quality of service by reducing jitter.

Abstract: An automatic, adaptive voice/data Ethernet device with automatic assignment of quality of service is disclosed. When a “short” packet arrives (where short can be a default value or a configured value, if desired), it is tagged and a table is searched based upon the packet's information. If there is no table entry, the packet's arrival time and size are entered into the table. If a table entry is found, a new interval is calculated by subtracting the last arrival time from the tagged value. If the new interval is approximately the same as the old interval, then the packet is sent to the appropriate output queue. If the new interval time is different than the old interval, the interval value is cleared. The present invention can improve the quality of service by reducing jitter.

Abstract: Process switch operations common in multiprogramming environments in commercially available data processors, are carried out faster by providing a decision-making capability for determining whether it is later to be restored at the beginning of the process or at the point of interruption. Both hardware and software implementations are disclosed.

Abstract: Process switch operations common in multiprogramming environments in commercially available data processors, are carried out faster herein by providing a decision-making capability for determining whether only a subset or all of the usually saved data actually is to be saved each time a process switch operation is called for. Both hardware and software implementations are disclosed.