Abstract: The present invention is a protocol for maintaining cache consistency between multiprocessors within a tightly coupled system. A distributed directory is maintained within the data-sharing processors, so that copies can be invalidated when modified. All transfers are event driven, rather the polled, to reduce bus-bandwidth consumption. Deadlocks are avoided by placing to-be-executed command codes in the returned response packets, when the request-forwarding queues are full or not present.

Abstract: The present invention is a protocol for maintaining cache consistency between multiprocessors within a tightly coupled system. A distributed directory is maintained within the data-sharing processors, so that copies can be invalidated when modified. All transfers are event driven, rather the polled, to reduce bus-bandwidth consumption. Deadlocks are avoided by placing to-be-executed command codes in the returned response packets, when the request-forwarding queues are full or not present.

Abstract: A system and method for delaying packet transmissions within source devices and network bridges for the purpose of reducing the worst-case delays associated with forwarding of time-sensitive packets through a bridged network. The minimal bridged network system include a first device node attached to a first network link, a second device node attached to a second network link, and a bridge connecting the first network link to the second network link. The method and system includes shaping the traffic within a source device or bridge (shaping involves spreading bunched packets over time). Within a bridge, shaping occurs at each output port of the bridge, applying a distinct shaper to the traffic coming from each of the input ports, as well as distinct shapers for the distinct traffic class coming each of the input ports.

Abstract: A system and method for delaying packet transmissions within source devices and network bridges for the purpose of reducing the worst-case delays associated with forwarding of time-sensitive packets through a bridged network. The minimal bridged network system include a first device node attached to a first network link, a second device node attached to a second network link, and a bridge connecting the first network link to the second network link. The method and system includes shaping the traffic within a source device or bridge (shaping involves spreading bunched packets over time). Within a bridge, shaping occurs at each output port of the bridge, applying a distinct shaper to the traffic coming from each of the input ports, as well as distinct shapers for the distinct traffic class coming each of the input ports.

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.

Abstract: A method and system for adjusting the bandwidth allocated for isochronous data traffic on an interconnected data bus is disclosed. The present system uses an isochronous resource manager (IRM) to sense a bandwidth change request from a talker. The IRM instigates a bandwidth adjustment associated with the bandwidth change request to one or more bus bridge portals.

Abstract: A data transmission system (100) may include a transmitting portion (102) and a receiving portion (104). A transmitting portion (102) may include an encoder (106) that may encode data values of n bits into codes of m bits, where n is less than m. Codes may be transmitted with corresponding clock values. The absolute value of the DC component of a code summed with a corresponding clock value can be no more tan one for all code values.

Abstract: A method of address management in a net having a plurality of buses linked by a plurality of bus bridges where the net has only one branch bus with multiple bus bridges. A local identification address is assigned to each node on a branch bus and a bus number is assigned to each bus other than the branch bus. The bus number includes a common base and the local identification address for the node having a portal that connects to that bus.

Abstract: A method and a system for providing a connection using a stream identifier (“id”) are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system identifies a talker node, which provides an isochronous data stream via a communication media. Once the talker node is identified, an identifier and an sub-identifier of the talker node are identified. After identifying the identifier and sub-identifier, the stream id associated with the isochronous data stream is identified in response to the identifier and sub-identifier. Next, the system establishes at least one connection according to the stream id. When the connection between the second and talker nodes is established, the listener node reads the isochronous data stream.

Abstract: A method of performing a data bus transaction in a data bus system is described, whereas the data bus transaction includes a request phase and a response phase. In an embodiment, the data bus system includes a plurality of nodes including a requester node and a responder node, whereas the data bus system is compliant with the 1394 Standard. The method of the present invention enhances flow control in the data bus system in particular circumstances so that to improve the data transfer rate of the data bus system. In particular, the method of the present invention accelerates the initiation of an arbitration process (so that to perform a next data bus transaction) relative to the end of the response packet transmitted during the response phase of a current data bus transaction. Moreover, the method of the present invention does not interfere with the protocols of the arbitration process of the data bus system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for synchronizing a bus bridge to a master clock comprising receiving a time stamp packet at an input clock register of the bus bridge, comparing the value of the input clock register to the value of an output clock register of the bus bridge, obtaining an error value of the output clock register from the comparison, and determining whether the error value is below a predetermined threshold are described.