Abstract: A modelling tool for use in defining an ASP which receives as its input an input file which for each of a set of peripherals defines the functional attributes of that peripheral in a high level language with an input data structure and which generates from the input file, (i) an interface functions file, which defines the communication attributes of the peripheral with the processor and the functional attributes of the peripheral in a manner independent of any particular data structure, (ii) a test functions file which defines the communication attributes of the processor with the peripheral in a manner independent of any particular data structure, and (iii) a register definition file by allocating specific elements of the input data structure to predefined sectors of a register definition table.

Abstract: A data reception unit for receiving a plurality of data streams over a data channel. The data streams are received as amounts of data, each amount of data comprising a data portion including data from a data stream and an identity portion identifying that data stream. The data reception unit comprises a data stream memory comprising a plurality of data stream storage areas, and a buffer; a first storage information memory for holding first storage information a processing unit, and a data storage controller. The data storage controller, for each received amount of data, receives the identity portion of the amount of data and performs a storage operation based on the identity portion.

Abstract: Data stream transfer apparatus for receiving a data stream of data cells at variable time intervals and transmitting data frames at predetermined time intervals, including a receiving apparatus, a buffer memory, a data transfer interface, a central processing unit (CPU), and a memory access unit. The receiving apparatus receives the data cells and stores them in the buffer memory. The data transfer interface transfers data frames out of the apparatus at the predetermined time intervals and generates an indication that the data frame has been transferred. The memory access unit receives data defining a location of a data frame in the buffer memory, accesses the buffer memory to retrieve that data frame and transmits that data frame to the data transfer interface. The CPU, upon receiving the indication, determines a time for transfer of a subsequent data frame, and upon reaching that time, transmits to the memory access unit the location of the subsequent frame in the buffer memory.

Abstract: A data reception unit for receiving a plurality of data streams over a data chanel. The data streams are received as amounts of data, each amount of data comprising a data portion including data from a data stream and an identity portion identifying that data stream. The data reception unit comprises a data stream memory comprising a plurality of data stream storage areas and a reserve buffer, a first storage information memory for holding first storage information, a processing unit, and a data storage controller. The data storage controller, for each received amount of data, receives the identity portion of the amount of data and performs a storage operation-based on the identity portion.

Abstract: Apparatus for re-assembling information cells of messages, comprising a message memory, a message data memory, a location memory, and loading apparatus. The message memory stores each message in blocks that can be different lengths. The message data memory stores, for each message, message data defining a location in message memory, a position in the block, and a length of the block that is to receive the cells of the message. The location memory stores, for each message, an indication of the location of the message data. The loading apparatus receives the cells, and for each cell, accesses location memory to determine the location of message data, stores the cell in the message memory at the indicated location, increments the message data defining the location and the position, and compares the incremented position with the stored length of the block to determine whether the end of the block has been reached.