Abstract: Methods and apparatus for isolation of sub-system resources (such as clocks, power, and reset) within independent domains. In one embodiment, each sub-system of a system has one or more dedicated power and clock domains that operate independent of other sub-system operation. For example, in an exemplary mobile device with cellular, WLAN and PAN connectivity, each such sub-system is connected to a common memory mapped bus function, yet can operate independently. The disclosed architecture advantageously both satisfies the power consumption limitations of mobile devices, and concurrently provides the benefits of memory mapped connectivity for high bandwidth applications on such mobile devices.

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 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 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: 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 isolation of sub-system resources (such as clocks, power, and reset) within independent domains. In one embodiment, each sub-system of a system has one or more dedicated power and clock domains that operate independent of other sub-system operation. For example, in an exemplary mobile device with cellular, WLAN and PAN connectivity, each such sub-system is connected to a common memory mapped bus function, yet can operate independently. The disclosed architecture advantageously both satisfies the power consumption limitations of mobile devices, and concurrently provides the benefits of memory mapped connectivity for high bandwidth applications on such mobile devices.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for isolation of sub-system resources (such as clocks, power, and reset) within independent domains. In one embodiment, each sub-system of a system has one or more dedicated power and clock domains that operate independent of other sub-system operation. For example, in an exemplary mobile device with cellular, WLAN and PAN connectivity, each such sub-system is connected to a common memory mapped bus function, yet can operate independently. The disclosed architecture advantageously both satisfies the power consumption limitations of mobile devices, and concurrently provides the benefits of memory mapped connectivity for high bandwidth applications on such mobile devices.

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 isolation of sub-system resources (such as clocks, power, and reset) within independent domains. In one embodiment, each sub-system of a system has one or more dedicated power and clock domains that operate independent of other sub-system operation. For example, in an exemplary mobile device with cellular, WLAN and PAN connectivity, each such sub-system is connected to a common memory mapped bus function, yet can operate independently. The disclosed architecture advantageously both satisfies the power consumption limitations of mobile devices, and concurrently provides the benefits of memory mapped connectivity for high bandwidth applications on such mobile devices.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enabling a peripheral processor to retrieve and load firmware for execution within the constraints of its memory. The peripheral processor is allocated a portion of the host processor's memory, to function as a logical secondary and tertiary memory for memory cache operation. The described embodiments enable the peripheral processor to support much larger and more complex firmware. Additionally, a multi-facetted locking mechanism is described which enables the peripheral processor and the host processor to access the secondary memory, while minimally impacting the other processor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enabling a peripheral processor to retrieve and load firmware for execution within the constraints of its memory. The peripheral processor is allocated a portion of the host processor's memory, to function as a logical secondary and tertiary memory for memory cache operation. The described embodiments enable the peripheral processor to support much larger and more complex firmware. Additionally, a multi-facetted locking mechanism is described which enables the peripheral processor and the host processor to access the secondary memory, while minimally impacting the other processor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for isolation of sub-system resources (such as clocks, power, and reset) within independent domains. In one embodiment, each sub-system of a system has one or more dedicated power and clock domains that operate independent of other sub-system operation. For example, in an exemplary mobile device with cellular, WLAN and PAN connectivity, each such sub-system is connected to a common memory mapped bus function, yet can operate independently. The disclosed architecture advantageously both satisfies the power consumption limitations of mobile devices, and concurrently provides the benefits of memory mapped connectivity for high bandwidth applications on such mobile devices.

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 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 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: 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 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 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.