Abstract: In a first embodiment, an applications programming interface (API) implements and manages isochronous and asynchronous data transfer operations between an application and a bus structure. During an synchronous transfer the API includes the ability to transfer any amount of data between one or more local data buffers within the application and a range of addresses over the bus structure using one or more asynchronous transactions. An automatic transaction generator may be used to automatically generate the transactions necessary to complete the data transfer. The API also includes the ability to transfer data between the application and another node on the bus structure isochronously over a dedicated channel. During an isochronous data transfer, a buffer management scheme is used to manage a linked list of data buffer descriptors.

Abstract: A method for utilizing concurrent context switching to support isochronous processes preferably comprises a main context that is configured to support system execution tasks, a first concurrent context that supports a first set of concurrent execution and loading procedures, and a second concurrent context that supports a second set of concurrent execution and loading procedures. A context control module preferably manages switching and loading procedures between the main context, the first concurrent context, and the second concurrent context. The context control module may perform successive concurrent context switching procedures by alternating between the first concurrent context and the second concurrent context to thereby sequentially support any desired number of isochronous processes.

Abstract: An isochronous data pipe provides a bi-directional path for data between an application and a bus structure. The isochronous data pipe includes the ability to send, receive and perform manipulations on any isochronous stream of data, including data on any number of isochronous channels. The isochronous data pipe is a programmable sequencer that operates on the stream of isochronous data as it passes through the isochronous data pipe. The isochronous data pipe is programmed by an application to perform specific operations on the stream of data before the data is either transmitted across the bus structure or sent to the application, thereby pre-processing and manipulating the data before it is delivered to its destination. The operations are performed on both the packet header and the data field of the data packet. The isochronous data pipe can be stopped and started on the occurrence of specific events.

Abstract: A data transmission method configures a source plug on a source device and a destination plug on a destination device for respectively transmitting and receiving isochronous data packets in non real-time. A stream of non real-time isochronous data packets is formed by first packetizing the data stream into conventional real-time isochronous data packets. Then, either a partial real-time isochronous data packet or multiple real-time isochronous data packets are encapsulated within a data payload portion of a non real-time isochronous data packet depending on the transmission speed. If the transmission speed is less than real-time, then a partial real-time isochronous data packet is encapsulated within the non real-time isochronous data packet. If the transmission speed is greater than real-time, then multiple real-time isochronous data packets are encapsulated within a single non real-time isochronous data packet.

Abstract: An isochronous data pipe provides a bi-directional path for data between an application and a bus structure. The isochronous data pipe includes the ability to send, receive and perform manipulations on any isochronous stream of data, including data on any number of isochronous channels. The isochronous data pipe is a programmable sequencer that operates on the stream of isochronous data as it passes through the isochronous data pipe. The isochronous data pipe is programmed by an application to perform specific operations on the stream of data before the data is either transmitted across the bus structure or sent to the application, thereby pre-processing and manipulating the data before it is delivered to its destination. The operations are performed on both the packet header and the data field of the data packet. The isochronous data pipe can be stopped and started on the occurrence of specific events.

Abstract: A system and method for interactively utilizing a user interface to manage device resources comprises at least one resource characterization that includes resource requirements for executing a requested process. An allocation manager may then compare the resource requirements for the requested process to the currently-available device resources. The allocation manager may then authorize or deny the requested process depending upon whether the currently-available resources are sufficient to adequately service the resource requirements of the requested process. An interface manager may provide relevant information from sources such as the resource characterization and the allocation manager to a user interface to thereby allow a system user to interactively manage device resources.

Abstract: A system and method for interactively utilizing a user interface to manage device resources comprises at least one resource characterization that includes resource requirements for executing a requested process. An allocation manager may then compare the resource requirements for the requested process to the currently-available device resources. The allocation manager may then authorize or deny the requested process depending upon whether the currently-available resources are sufficient to adequately service the resource requirements of the requested process. An interface manager may provide relevant information from sources such as the resource characterization and the allocation manager to a user interface to thereby allow a system user to interactively manage device resources.

Abstract: A method for providing optimal performance in an electronic device comprises at least one resource characterization that includes resource requirements for executing a requested process. An allocation manager may then compare the resource requirements for the requested process to the currently-available device resources. The allocation manager may then authorize or deny the requested process depending upon whether the currently-available resources are sufficient to adequately service the resource requirements of the requested process.

Abstract: A method for implementing a multi-level system model for deterministically handling selected data comprises a picokernel module that invokes an isochronous scheduler to select, schedule, and execute active isochronous processes on an electronic device in response to a cycle start signal from an isochronous clock. The active isochronous processes may selectively set plesiochronous flags to thereby designate corresponding plesiochronous processes as active plesiochronous processes. Once all active isochronous processes have been executed in a given isochronous cycle, then the picokernel may invoke a plesiochronous scheduler to select, schedule, and execute any active plesiochronous processes on the electronic device.

Abstract: An isochronous data pipe provides a bi-directional path for data between an application and a bus structure. The isochronous data pipe includes the ability to send, receive and perform manipulations on any isochronous stream of data, including data on any number of isochronous channels. The isochronous data pipe is a programmable sequencer that operates on the stream of isochronous data as it passes through the isochronous data pipe. The isochronous data pipe is programmed by an application to perform specific operations on the stream of data before the data is either transmitted across the bus structure or sent to the application, thereby pre-processing and manipulating the data before it is delivered to its destination. The operations are performed on both the packet header and the data field of the data packet. The isochronous data pipe can be stopped and started on the occurrence of specific events.

Abstract: A system and method for effectively performing isochronous data transfers comprises a network device including an input/output (I/O) bus that is coupled to an input/output (I/O) node and an isochronous-capable network interface. The network interface and the I/O node may send requests to an arbiter for control of the I/O bus to perform a data transfer operation. In accordance with the present invention, an arbiter filter is interposed between the arbiter and both the network interface and the I/O node to filter respective requests for control of the I/O bus. The network interface advantageously provides an isochronous request to the arbiter filter to thereby de-assert conflicting requests so that the network interface may effectively perform a time-sensitive isochronous data transfer.

Abstract: An automatically configuring storage array includes a plurality of media storage devices coupled together within a network of devices. Preferably, the network of devices is an IEEE 1394-2000 serial bus network of devices. The media storage devices are utilized to record and retrieve streams of data transmitted within the network of devices. The media storage devices communicate with each other in order to store and retrieve streams of data over multiple media storage devices, if necessary. When a record or playback command is received by any one of the media storage devices, the media storage devices send control communications between themselves to ensure that the stream of data is recorded or transmitted, as appropriate. Control of the record or transmit operation is also transferred between the media storage devices in order to utilize the full capacity of the available media storage devices. Preferably, streams of data are recorded utilizing redundancy techniques.

Abstract: A programmable FIFO receives a stream of data to be buffered within the FIFO and then output from the FIFO. The programmable FIFO includes the ability to receive program instructions from an application or control circuit to perform specific operations on the stream of data before the data is provided as an output from the programmable FIFO. By performing the specific operations of the program instructions, the programmable FIFO has the ability to filter the stream of data as it passes through the FIFO, including reordering data within the FIFO, if appropriate, and also to synchronize the input and output of the stream of data with external input and output signals, respectively. The programmable FIFO also has the ability to operate as a typical FIFO and buffer the data without manipulating it. The programmable FIFO includes a programmable element and a FIFO memory and control circuit.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, an applications programming interface (API) implements and manages isochronous and asychronous data transfer operations between an application and a bus structure. During an asynchronous transfer the API includes the ability to transfer any amount of data between one or more local data buffers within the application and a range of addresses over the bus structure using one or more asynchronous transactions. An automatic transaction generator may be used to automatically generate the transactions necessary to complete the data transfer. The API also includes the ability to transfer data between the application and another node on the bus structure isochronously over a dedicated channel. During an isochronous data transfer, a buffer management scheme is used to manage a linked list of data buffer descriptors.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, an applications programming interface (API) implements and manages isochronous and asynchronous data transfer operations between an application and a bus structure. During an synchronous transfer the API includes the ability to transfer any amount of data between one or more local data buffers within the application and a range of addresses over the bus structure using one or more asynchronous transactions. An automatic transaction generator may be used to automatically generate the transactions necessary to complete the data transfer. The API also includes the ability to transfer data between the application and another node on the bus structure isochronously over a dedicated channel. During an isochronous data transfer, a buffer management scheme is used to manage a linked list of data buffer descriptors.

Abstract: A system and method for utilizing a memory device to support isochronous processes comprises a memory device that may be partitioned to provide an isochronous memory for storing high-priority isochronous information, and a processor device for accessing and utilizing the isochronous information that is stored in the isochronous memory. The isochronous memory is reserved for storing the isochronous information, and may be reconfigured into a selectable number of memory channels of varying size that each corresponds to an associated isochronous process.

Abstract: A real-time transport protocol (RTP) describes a payload format for transporting IEC 61883-1 CIP compliant IEEE 1394-2000 isochronous transport data. The transport data includes a stream format, such as DV (Digital Video), AM824 (Audio/Music data format with an 8-bit header and 24 bits of audio), or MPEG, that has been packetized for isochronous transport by a source. The payload format is opaque to the transport mechanism. The isochronous transport clock is derived from the IEEE 1394-2000 cycle timer clock. The RTP is used to transport IEEE 1394-2000, IEC 61883 compliant data streams between IEEE 1394-2000 buses using IP (Internet Protocol), specifically, Ethernet/IP. Alternatively, other IP formats are used.

Abstract: A method and system for quarantine during bus topology configuration are described. In one embodiment, the invention is a method. The method includes quarantining a set of devices coupled to a bus. The method further includes establishing a topology of the bus. The method may also include receiving a reset signal and quarantining in response to the reset signal. In an alternate embodiment, the invention is a system. The system includes a bus having a reset signal and a plurality of data signals. The system also includes a set of devices, with each device of the set of devices coupled to the bus. The system further includes a controller. The controller having a memory configured to store device identifiers corresponding to the devices of the set of devices. The memory further configured to store quarantine information relating to the devices of the set of devices.

Abstract: A dispatching apparatus includes a channel pointer register having storage locations, each with fields for channel number, valid bit, and corresponding instruction pointer which points to instructions for processing data for that channel. When an isochronous channel is allocated for reception, the host programs the channel number and corresponding instruction pointer value into a storage location and sets the corresponding valid bit. When data is received, the channel number is compared to channel numbers within valid storage locations. The data is processed according to instructions located at the corresponding instruction pointer value if there is a channel number match or instructions at the default instruction pointer value if there is no match.

Abstract: A method and system for a multi-phase net refresh on a bus bridge interconnect, the interconnect comprising a number of nodes, a bus bridge, and a number of buses, are described. In one embodiment, a primary bus is acquired by communicating with other bus bridges on the buses. A secondary bus is breached to acquire the secondary bus. In addition, the primary bus and the secondary bus are committed.