IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
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국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
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출원번호 |
US-0364838
(1999-07-30)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Mirsky, Ethan
- French, Robert
- Eslick, Ian
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출원인 / 주소 |
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대리인 / 주소 |
Christie, Parker & Hale, LLP
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
44 인용 특허 :
21 |
초록
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A method and an apparatus for configuration of multiple context processing elements (MCPEs)are described. According to one aspect of the invention, the structure that joins the MCPE cores into a complete array in one embodiment is actually a set of several mesh-like interconnect structures. Each int
A method and an apparatus for configuration of multiple context processing elements (MCPEs)are described. According to one aspect of the invention, the structure that joins the MCPE cores into a complete array in one embodiment is actually a set of several mesh-like interconnect structures. Each interconnect structure forms a network, and each network is independent in that it uses different paths, but the networks join at MCPE input switches. The network structure of one embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a local area broadcast network (level 1), a switched interconnect network (level 2), a shared bus network (level 3), and a broadcast network. In one embodiment, the level 3 network is used to carry configuration data for the MCPEs while the broadcast network is used to carry configuration data for the level 3 network drivers and switches. In one embodiment, the level 3 network is bidirectional and dynamically routable.
대표청구항
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1. A method for programming and manipulating a networked array of multiple context processing elements (MCPEs), the method comprising: selectively transmitting third signals over a level 3 network, wherein the level 3 network comprises a plurality of channels between pairs of MCPEs in the networke
1. A method for programming and manipulating a networked array of multiple context processing elements (MCPEs), the method comprising: selectively transmitting third signals over a level 3 network, wherein the level 3 network comprises a plurality of channels between pairs of MCPEs in the networked array, a plurality of channels along at least one major axis at the networked array, and a level 3 switch structure; and selectively transmitting a sideband bit with the third signals, wherein the sideband bit indicates a direction in which the third signals are driven. 2. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein a first sideband bit is transmitted in a first direction and a second sideband bit is transmitted in a second direction, said method further comprising generating an error signal when the first and second sideband bits are driven simultaneously.3. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the third signals are transmitted during executing of a present function by at least one MCPE of the networked array.4. The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: assigning a physical identification (PID) and a virtual identification (VID) to each of a plurality of MCPEs in the networked array: transmitting the third signals and an address mask to the MCPEs; and selectively comparing one of the VIDs and PIDs masked with the address mask to the address to select one of the MCPEs. 5. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the third signals comprise configuration data for configuration of MCPEs, instructions and addresses of MCPEs, said method further comprising: assigning a physical identification (PID) and a virtual identification (VID) to each of a plurality of MCPEs in the networked array; transmitting the third signals to the MCPEs; and selectively comparing a corresponding PID and VID to the address to select one of the MCPEs. 6. The method as set forth in claim 5, wherein the third signals are transmitted during execution of a present function keys at least one MCPE of the networked array.7. The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: assigning a physical identification (PID) to each of a plurality of MCPEs in the network array; transmitting the third signals and an address mask to the MCPEs; and comparing one of the PIDs masked with the address mask to the address to select one of the MCPEs. 8. The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: assigning a virtual identification (VID) to each of a plurality of MCPEs in the network array; transmitting the third signals and an address mask to the MCPEs; and comparing one of the VIDs masked with the address mask to the address to select one of the MCPEs. 9. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the third signals comprise configuration data for configuration of MCPEs, instructions and addresses of MCPEs, said method further comprising: assigning a virtual identification (VID) to each of a plurality of MCPEs in the network array; transmitting the third signals to the MCPEs; and comparing a corresponding VID to the address to select on of the MCPEs. 10. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the third signals comprise configuration data for configuration of MCPEs, instructions and addresses of MCPEs, said method further comprising: assigning a physical identification (PID) to each of a plurality of MCPEs in the network array; transmitting the third signals the MCPEs; and comparing a corresponding PID to the address to select one of the MCPEs. 11. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting fourth signals over a broadcast network, wherein the fourth signals comprise configuration data for configuring the level 3 switch structure.12. The method of claim 11, wherein the fourth signals further comprise configuration data for configuring MCPEs.13. A method for selectively programming and manipulating a networked array of multiple context processing elements (MCPEs), the method c omprising: selectively transmitting first signals over a level 1 network between MCPEs, wherein the level 1 network comprises bit-wide direct connections between an MCPE and a plurality of neighboring MCPEs adjacent to the MCPE, and a level 1 switch structure; selectively transmitting second signals over a level 2 network, wherein the level 2 network comprises byte-wide direct connections between the MCPE and the plurality of neighboring MCPEs adjacent to the MCPE, and a level 2 switch structure; and selectively transmitting third signals over a level 3 network, wherein wherein adjacent pairs of MCPEs along at least one major axis of the level 3 network are directly connected to one another by a plurality of channels, and wherein the level 3 network comprises a level 3 switch structure. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein: the first signals comprise bit-oriented control signals; the second signals comprise data, instruction, and addresses of MCPEs within a local group; and the third signals comprise configuration data for configuration of MCPEs, instructions, and addresses of MCPEs. 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising transmitting fourth signals over a broadcast network, wherein the fourth signals comprise configuration data for configuring the level 3 network.16. The method of claim 14, further comprising transmitting fourth signals over a broadcast network, wherein the fourth signals comprise configuration data for configuring the level 3 switch structure.17. The method of claim 16, wherein the fourth signals further comprise configuration data for configuring MCPEs.18. The method of claim 13, wherein the level 3 network is a bidirectional network, the method further comprising transmitting a sideband bit with the third signals, wherein the sideband bit indicates a direction in which the third signals are driven.19. The method of claim 18, wherein a first sideband bit is transmitted in a first direction and a second sideband bit is transmitted in a second direction, the method further comprising generating an error signal when the first and second sideband bits are driven simultaneously.20. The method of claim 19, wherein the third signals are transmitted during execution of a present function by at least one MCPE of the networked array.21. The method of claim 14, further comprising selecting an active configuration for at least one of the plurality of multiple context processing elements when a masked virtual identification of the at least one of the plurality of MCPEs corresponds to the address.22. The method of claim 14, further comprising: assigning a physical identification and a virtual identification to MCPEs of a plurality of MCPEs in the networked array; transmitting the third signals and an address mask to the plurality of MCPEs; and comparing the virtual identification of the plurality of MCPEs masked with the address mask to the address. 23. The method of claim 14, further comprising: assigning a physical identification (PID) and a virtual identification (VID) to each of a plurality of MCPEs in the networked array: transmitting configuration data for configuration of at least one MCPE, instruction, an address of the at least one MCPE, and an address mask; and comparing the virtual identification masked with the address mask to addresses of MCPEs; and selecting an active configuration for the at least one of the plurality of MCPEs and manipulating the MCPE when the masked virtual identification of the at least one of the plurality of MCPEs corresponds to the address. 24. The method as set forth in claim 23, wherein manipulating is selected from the group comprising setting a finite state machine state, setting a programmable run context, setting a reset context and setting a stall context.25. A system comprising: a networked array of multiple processing elements (MCPEs); a level 3 network comprising a plurality of channels between pairs of MCPEs, a plurality of c hannels along at least one major axis of the networked array and a level 3 switch structure; and at least one sideband bit configured to be transmitted with third signals transmitted over the level 3 network, said sideband bit indicating a direction in which the third signals are transmitted. 26. The system of claim 25, wherein the at least one sideband bit comprises a first sideband bit transmitted in a first direction and second sideband bit transmitted in a second direction.27. The system as set forth in claim 25, wherein the level three network is configured to transmit third signals during execution of a present function by at least one MCPE of the networked array.28. The system as set forth in claim 25, wherein each MCPE of a plurality of MCPEs in the networked array is identified by a physical identification (PID) and a virtual identification (VID) to each of a plurality of MCPEs in the networked array; said level 3 network configured to transmit the third signals and an address mask to the MCPEs; and selectively comparing one of the VIDs and PIDs masked with the address mask to the address to select one of the MCPEs. 29. The system as set forth in claim 25, wherein the third signals comprise configuration data for configuration of MCPES, instructions and addresses of MCPEs, each MCPE of a plurality of MCPEs in the networked array is identified by a physical identification (PID) and a virtual identification (VID); said system further configured to transmit the third signals, to the MCPEs and selectively compare a corresponding PID and VID to the address to select one of the MCPES. 30. The system as set forth in claim 25, wherein the third signals are transmitted during execution of a present function keys at least one MCPE of the networked array.31. The system as set forth in claim 25, further comprising: physical identifications (PIDs) assigned to MCPEs of a plurality of MCPEs in the network array; third signals and an address mask configured to be transmitted to the MCPEs; and a comparison circuit configured to compare one of the PIDs masked with the address mask to the address to select one of the MCPEs. 32. The system as set forth in claim 25, further comprising: virtual identifications (VIDs) assigned to MCPEs of a plurality of MCPEs in the network array; third signals and an address mask configured to be transmitted to the MCPEs; and a comparison circuit configured to compare one of the VIDs masked with the address mask to the address to select one of the MCPEs. 33. The system as set forth in claim 26, wherein the third signals comprise configuration data for configuration of MCPEs, instructions and addresses of MCPEs, said system further comprising: virtual identifications (VIDs) assigned to MCPEs of a plurality of MCPEs in the network array; third signals configured to be transmitted to the MCPEs; and a comparison circuit configured to compare a corresponding VID to the address to select one of the MCPEs. 34. The system as set forth in claim 25, wherein the third signals comprise configuration data for configuration of MCPEs, instructions and addresses of MCPEs, said system further comprising: physical identifications (PIDs) assigned to MCPEs of a plurality of MCPEs in the network array; third signals configured to be transmitted to the MCPEs; and a comparison circuit configured to compare a corresponding PID to the address to select one of the MCPES. 35. The system of claim 25, further configured to transmit fourth signals over a broadcast network, wherein the fourth signals comprise configuration data for configuring the level 3 switch structure.36. The system of claim 35, wherein the fourth signals further comprise configuration data for configuring MCPEs.37. The system as set forth in claim 25, said level 3 network configured to transmit to the MCPEs configuration data for configuration of MCPEs, instructions, addresses of MCPEs and an address mask, said system furt her configured to select an active configuration for at least one of the plurality of MCPEs when a masked virtual identification of the at least one of the plurality of MCPEs corresponds to the address.38. A system comprising: a networked array of multiple processing elements (MCPEs); a level 1 network comprising a first plurality of programmable direct connections between an MCPE and a plurality of neighboring MCPEs adjacent to the MCPE and a level 1 switch structure; a level 2 network comprising a second plurality of programmable direct connections between the MCPE and the plurality of neighboring MCPEs adjacent to the MCPE and a level 2 switch structure; a level 3 network, wherein adjacent pairs of MCPEs along at least one major axis of the level 3 network are directly connected to one another by a plurality of channels and wherein the level 3 network comprises a level 3 switch structure. 39. The system of claim 38, wherein the direct connections of the level 1 network are bit-wide connections and the direct connections of the level 2 network are byte-wide connections.40. The system of claim 38, further comprising: first signals configured to be transmitted over the level 1 network, said first signals comprising bit-oriented control signals; second signals configured to be transmitted over the level 2 network, the second signals comprising data, instructions and addresses of MCPEs within a local group; and third signals configured to be transmitted over the level 3 network, the third signals comprising configuration data for configuration of MCPEs, instructions and addresses of MCPEs. 41. The system of claim 38, further comprising a broadcast network.42. The system of claim 41, further comprising fourth signals configured to be transmitted over the broadcast network, the fourth signals comprising configuration data for configuring the level 3 switch structure.43. The system of claim 41, further comprising fourth signals configured to be transmitted over the broadcast network, wherein the fourth signals comprise configuration data for configuring the level 3 network.44. The system of claim 38, wherein the level 3 network is a bidirectional network, said system further comprising at least one sideband bit configured to be transmitted with third signals transmitted over the level 3 network, said sideband bit indicating a direction in which the third signals are transmitted.45. The system of claim 44, wherein the at least one sideband bit comprises a first sideband bit transmitted in a first direction and second sideband bit transmitted in a second direction.46. The system of claim 38, wherein a MCPE is identified by a physical identification and a virtual identification, said third signals further comprising an address mask and a address transmitted over the level 3 network, one of the virtual identification and physical identification masked by the address mask is compared to the address.47. The system of claim 46, wherein an active configuration for at least one MCPE is selected when virtual identification corresponds to the address mask.
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