Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring data between bus agents in a computer system. The present invention includes transmitting a control signal, from a first agent to a second agent, via a first transfer protocol; and, transmitting data corresponding to the control signal, from the first agent to the second agent, via a second transfer protocol. In one embodiment, the control signals are transmitted from the first agent to the second agent via a synchronous transmission with respect to a bus clock; and, the data is transmitted via an asynchronous transmission with respect to the bus clock, which has a data width greater than the synchronous transmission. In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, the synchronous transmission is a common clock data transfer protocol, and the asynchronous transmission is a source clock data transfer protocol.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring data between bus agents in a computer system. The present invention includes transmitting a control signal, from a first agent to a second agent, via a first transfer protocol; and, transmitting data corresponding to the control signal, from the first agent to the second agent, via a second transfer protocol. In one embodiment, the control signals are transmitted from the first agent to the second agent via a synchronous transmission with respect to a bus clock; and, the data is transmitted via an asynchronous transmission with respect to the bus clock, which has a data width greater than the synchronous transmission. In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, the synchronous transmission is a common clock data transfer protocol, and the asynchronous transmission is a source clock data transfer protocol.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring data between bus agents in a computer system. The present invention includes transmitting a control signal, from a first agent to a second agent, via a first transfer protocol; and, transmitting data corresponding to the control signal, from the first agent to the second agent, via a second transfer protocol. In one embodiment, the control signals are transmitted from the first agent to the second agent via a synchronous transmission with respect to a bus clock; and, the data is transmitted via an asynchronous transmission with respect to the bus clock, which has a data width greater than the synchronous transmission. In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, the synchronous transmission is a common clock data transfer protocol, and the asynchronous transmission is a source clock data transfer protocol.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for configuring the pinout of an integrated circuit. An integrated circuit includes an input/output structure including an input/output port. The input/output structure communicates a first signal in a first configuration and a second signal in a second configuration. The first and second signals are parallel signals of a bus.

Abstract: A computer system with a semi-differential bus-signaling scheme is described. The computer system includes a transmitter coupled to a common bus. The transmitter sends clock signals and a data signal to logic-comparing devices within a receiver. The logic-comparing devices compare the data signal to a reference voltage while comparing the clock signals to each other. After the comparison, the clock signals can be used to capture the data into a retiming circuit.

Abstract: A buffer for enabling a signal to be applied to a bus. The buffer includes a first transistor coupled to a bus and a voltage supply. The logic buffer includes a first logic circuit which has an input coupled to receive a data signal and adapted to charge a terminal of the transistor at a first rate in response to a transition in the data signal. A second logic circuit charges the terminal at a faster rate during an initial transition period, until a first preselected condition is met. The buffer also includes a third logic circuit to charge the terminal at a second faster rate during a final transition period, after a second preselected condition is met. A method for controlling a voltage level of a signal applied to a terminal of a transistor includes charging the terminal at a fast rate until a first preselected condition is met.

Abstract: In a microprocessor system having a bus clock running at a bus clock rate, a method for reducing an idle interval between a first data transfer and a second data transfer, the method comprising the steps of:providing a first strobe signal and a second strobe signal for synchronizing said first and second data transfers with the bus clock;a pre-driving the first strobe signal before the first data transfer, the first strobe signal running at the bus clock rate during the first data transfer; andpre-driving one of the first and second strobe signals before the second data transfer, said one of the first and second strobe signals running at the bus clock rate during the second data transfer.

Abstract: The amount of skew present in a signal delivered over a transmission line is reduced by identifying of the type of data pattern from which a bit of data is being sent and generating a corresponding delay in response to identification of the data pattern is described. The generated delay results in reducing the amount of skew present in the system. In a first configuration, the invention includes first-storage and second-storage mechanisms, a logic gate, first and second delay paths, and a mechanisms for generating an output terminal. The first-storage mechanism stores a first digital signal. The second-storage mechanism stores a second digital signal that occurs in a selected number of clock transitions after the first data signal. The two storage mechanisms are connected to a logic gate. The first storage mechanism is also connected to the first and second delay paths which delay signals sent to them.