Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an inter-processor communication (IPC) link between two (or more) independently operable processors. In one aspect, the IPC protocol is based on a “shared” memory interface for run-time processing (i.e., the independently operable processors each share (either virtually or physically) a common memory interface). In another aspect, the IPC communication link is configured to support a host driven boot protocol used during a boot sequence to establish a basic communication path between the peripheral and the host processors. Various other embodiments described herein include sleep procedures (as defined separately for the host and peripheral processors), and error handling.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing bus overhead with virtualized transfer rings. The Inter-Processor Communications (IPC) bus uses a ring buffer (e.g., a so-called Transfer Ring (TR)) to provide Direct Memory Access (DMA)-like memory access between processors. However, performing small transactions within the TR inefficiently uses bus overhead. A Virtualized Transfer Ring (VTR) is a null data structure that doesn't require any backing memory allocation. A processor servicing a VTR data transfer includes the data payload as part of an optional header/footer data structure within a completion ring (CR).

Abstract: A control device configuration system may receive, store, process, and/or display control device configuration information. The control device configuration system may filter the control device configuration information based on user selections of configuration options for configuration parameters. The control device configuration system may identify compatible and incompatible configuration options for various configuration parameters. The control device configuration system may allow selections of the incompatible configuration options. The control device configuration system may adjust how it filters the control device configuration information based on the selections of the incompatible configuration options. The control device configuration system may implement a configuration model that includes configuration parameter groups for efficient evaluation of user selections.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an inter-processor communication (IPC) link between two (or more) independently operable processors. In one aspect, the IPC protocol is based on a “shared” memory interface for run-time processing (i.e., the independently operable processors each share (either virtually or physically) a common memory interface). In another aspect, the IPC communication link is configured to support a host driven boot protocol used during a boot sequence to establish a basic communication path between the peripheral and the host processors. Various other embodiments described herein include sleep procedures (as defined separately for the host and peripheral processors), and error handling.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for data aggregation and multiplexing of one or more virtual bus interfaces via a physical bus interface. Various disclosed embodiments are configured to: (i) multiplex multiple logical interfaces over a single physical interface, (ii) exchange session management and logical interface control, (iii) manage flow control, (iv) provide “hints” about the data (e.g., metadata), and/or (v) pad data packets. In one particular implementation, the methods and apparatus are configured for use within a wireless-enabled portable electronic device, such as for example a cellular-enabled smartphone, and make use of one or more features of a high-speed serialized physical bus interface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for locking at least a portion of a shared memory resource. In one embodiment, an electronic device configured to lock at least a portion of a shared memory is disclosed. The electronic device includes a host processor, at least one peripheral processor and a physical bus interface configured to couple the host processor to the peripheral processor. The electronic device further includes a software framework that is configured to: attempt to lock a portion of the shared memory; verify that the peripheral processor has not locked the shared memory; when the portion of the shared memory is successfully locked via the verification that the peripheral processor has not locked the portion of the shared memory, execute a critical section of the shared memory; and otherwise attempt to lock the at least the portion of the shared memory at a later time.

Abstract: Gas distribution assemblies are described including an annular body, an upper plate, and a lower plate. The upper plate may define a first plurality of apertures, and the lower plate may define a second and third plurality of apertures. The upper and lower plates may be coupled with one another and the annular body such that the first and second apertures produce channels through the gas distribution assemblies, and a volume is defined between the upper and lower plates.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for data transmissions over an inter-processor communication (IPC) link between two (or more) independently operable processors. In one embodiment, the IPC link is configured to enable an independently operable processor to transact data to another independently operable processor, while obviating transactions (such as via direct memory access) by encapsulating a payload within a data structure. For example, a host processor may insert the payload into a transfer descriptor (TD), and transmit the TD to a peripheral processor. The host processor may also include a head index and/or a tail index within a doorbell message sent to the peripheral processor, obviating another access of memory. The peripheral processor may perform similar types of transactions via a completion descriptor (CD) sent to the host processor. In some variants, the peripheral may be a Bluetooth-enabled device optimized for low-latency, low-power, and/or low-throughput transactions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for time sensitive data transfer between logical domains. In one embodiment, an user equipment (UE) device has an application processor (AP) coupled to a baseband processor (BB) that operate independently of one another normally, but may cooperate in limited hybrid use scenarios. For example, the BB receives audio packets via a cellular network that are converted to pulse code modulated (PCM) digital audio to be played by the AP. Unfortunately, since the AP and the BB are independently clocked, they will experience some clock drift. As a result, the audio playback may have undesirable artifacts if the drift is not otherwise compensated for. To these ends, the AP and/or BB determine a relative clock drift and compensate for playback by e.g., adding, padding, or deleting audio samples and/or audio packets. Techniques for handover scenarios are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for data transmissions over an inter-processor communication (IPC) link between two (or more) independently operable processors. In one embodiment, the IPC link is configured to enable an independently operable processor to transact data to another independently operable processor, while obviating transactions (such as via direct memory access) by encapsulating a payload within a data structure. For example, a host processor may insert the payload into a transfer descriptor (TD), and transmit the TD to a peripheral processor. The host processor may also include a head index and/or a tail index within a doorbell message sent to the peripheral processor, obviating another access of memory. The peripheral processor may perform similar types of transactions via a completion descriptor (CD) sent to the host processor. In some variants, the peripheral may be a Bluetooth-enabled device optimized for low-latency, low-power, and/or low-throughput transactions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for registering and handling access violations of host memory. In one embodiment, a peripheral processor receives one or more window registers defining an extent of address space accessible from a host processor; responsive to an attempt to access an extent of address space outside of the extent of accessible address space, generates an error message; stores the error message within a violation register; and resumes operation of the peripheral processor upon clearance of the stored error message.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for limiting wake requests from one device to one or more other devices. In one embodiment, the requests are from a peripheral processor to a host processor within an electronic device such as a mobile smartphone or tablet which has power consumption requirements or considerations associated therewith. In one implementation, the peripheral processor includes a wake-limiting procedure encoded in e.g., its software or firmware, the procedure mitigating or preventing continuous and/or overly repetitive “wake” requests from the peripheral processor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an inter-processor communication (IPC) link between two (or more) independently operable processors. In one aspect, the IPC protocol is based on a “shared” memory interface for run-time processing (i.e., the independently operable processors each share (either virtually or physically) a common memory interface). In another aspect, the IPC communication link is configured to support a host driven boot protocol used during a boot sequence to establish a basic communication path between the peripheral and the host processors. Various other embodiments described herein include sleep procedures (as defined separately for the host and peripheral processors), and error handling.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an inter-processor communication (IPC) link between two (or more) independently operable processors. In one aspect, the IPC protocol is based on a “shared” memory interface for run-time processing (i.e., the independently operable processors each share (either virtually or physically) a common memory interface). In another aspect, the IPC communication link is configured to support a host driven boot protocol used during a boot sequence to establish a basic communication path between the peripheral and the host processors. Various other embodiments described herein include sleep procedures (as defined separately for the host and peripheral processors), and error handling.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for scheduling time sensitive operations among independent processors. In one embodiment, an application processor (AP) determines transmission timing parameters for a baseband processor (BB). Thereafter, the AP can generate and transact generic time-sensitive RTP data with the BB in time for transmission via a Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication stack. In this manner, the AP's scheduler can coordinate/accommodate digital audio tasks within the context of its other tasks (e.g., to enable intelligent sleep and wake-up operation, load balancing, memory usage, and/or any number of other processor management functions).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for time sensitive data transfer between logical domains. In one embodiment, an user equipment (UE) device has an application processor (AP) coupled to a baseband processor (BB) that operate independently of one another normally, but may cooperate in limited hybrid use scenarios. For example, the BB receives audio packets via a cellular network that are converted to pulse code modulated (PCM) digital audio to be played by the AP. Unfortunately, since the AP and the BB are independently clocked, they will experience some clock drift. As a result, the audio playback may have undesirable artifacts if the drift is not otherwise compensated for. To these ends, the AP and/or BB determine a relative clock drift and compensate for playback by e.g., adding, padding, or deleting audio samples and/or audio packets. Techniques for handover scenarios are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for registering and handling access violations of host memory. In one embodiment, a peripheral processor receives one or more window registers defining an extent of address space accessible from a host processor; responsive to an attempt to access an extent of address space outside of the extent of accessible address space, generates an error message; stores the error message within a violation register; and resumes operation of the peripheral processor upon clearance of the stored error message.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a synchronized multi-directional transfer on an inter-processor communication (IPC) link. In one embodiment, the synchronized multi-directional transfer utilizes one or more buffers which are configured to accumulate data during a first state. The one or more buffers are further configured to transfer the accumulated data during a second state. Data is accumulated during a low power state where one or more processors are inactive, and the data transfer occurs during an operational state where the processors are active. Additionally, in some variants, the data transfer may be performed for currently available transfer resources, and halted until additional transfer resources are made available. In still other variants, one or more of the independently operable processors may execute traffic monitoring processes so as to optimize data throughput of the IPC link.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing access to a shared memory resource. In one embodiment, a first processor generates a first window register associated with the shared memory resource; and transmits the first window register from the first processor to a second processor, the first window register defining a first extent of address space within the shared memory resource that is directly accessible by the second processor without requiring a performance of arbitration operations by the first processor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for locking at least a portion of a shared memory resource. In one embodiment, an electronic device configured to lock at least a portion of a shared memory is disclosed. The electronic device includes a host processor, at least one peripheral processor and a physical bus interface configured to couple the host processor to the peripheral processor. The electronic device further includes a software framework that is configured to: attempt to lock a portion of the shared memory; verify that the peripheral processor has not locked the shared memory; when the portion of the shared memory is successfully locked via the verification that the peripheral processor has not locked the portion of the shared memory, execute a critical section of the shared memory; and otherwise attempt to lock the at least the portion of the shared memory at a later time.