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A method and an apparatus for configuration of multiple context processing elements (MCPEs) are described. The method and an apparatus is capable of selectively transmitting data over a bidirectional shared bus network including a plurality of channels between pairs of MCPEs in the networked array.

A method and an apparatus for configuration of multiple context processing elements (MCPEs) are described. The method and an apparatus is capable of selectively transmitting data over a bidirectional shared bus network including a plurality of channels between pairs of MCPEs in the networked array. The method and an apparatus then selectively transmits a sideband bit indicating a direction in which the data is transmitted in the shared bus network.

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What is claimed is: 1. A method for dynamically operating a networked array of multiple context processing elements (MCPEs), the method comprising: selectively transmitting data over a bidirectional shared bus network, wherein the bidirectional shared bus network comprises a plurality of channels b

What is claimed is: 1. A method for dynamically operating a networked array of multiple context processing elements (MCPEs), the method comprising: selectively transmitting data over a bidirectional shared bus network, wherein the bidirectional shared bus network comprises a plurality of channels between pairs of MCPEs in the networked array; and selectively transmitting a sideband bit, wherein the sideband bit indicates a direction in which the data is transmitted in the shared bus network. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the shared bus network comprises a shared bus switch structure, and a broadcast network broadcasts configuration data for configuring the switch structure. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising selectively transmitting first signals over a local area broadcast network between MCPEs, wherein the first signals comprise bit-oriented control signals for controlling respective MCPEs. 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising selectively transmitting second signals over a switched interconnect network between MCPEs, wherein the second signals comprise data, instructions, and addresses of MCPEs within a local group. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the data comprises configuration data for configuration of MCPEs, instructions and addresses of MCPEs. 6. The method of claim 1, 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. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the data is transmitted during execution of a present function by at least one MCPE of the networked array. 8. The method of claim 4, 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 an address of the addresses of MCPEs in the second signal. 9. The method of claim 4, 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; 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. 10. The method of claim 9, 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. 11. A system for dynamically operating a networked array of multiple context processing elements (MCPEs), comprising: data selectively transmitted over a shared bus network, wherein the shared bus network comprises a plurality of channels between pairs of MCPEs in the networked array; and a sideband bit selectively transmitted, wherein the sideband bit indicates a direction in which the data is transmitted in the shared bus network. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the shared bus network comprises a shared bus switch structure, and a broadcast network broadcasts configuration data for configuring the shared bus switch structure. 13. The system of claim 11, further comprising first signals selectively transmitted over a local area broadcast network between MCPEs, wherein the first signals comprise bit-oriented control signals for controlling respective MCPEs. 14. The system of claim 11, further comprising second signals selectively transmitted over a switched interconnect network between MCPEs, wherein the second signals comprise data, instructions, and addresses of MCPEs within a local group. 15. The system of claim 11, wherein the data comprises configuration data for configuration of MCPEs, instructions and addresses of MCPEs. 16. The system of claim 11, further comprising a first sideband bit transmitted in a first direction and a second sideband bit transmitted in a second direction, and means for generating an error signal when the first and second sideband bits are driven simultaneously. 17. The system of claim 11, wherein the data is transmitted during execution of a present function by at least one MCPE of the networked array. 18. The system of claim 15, further comprising an active configuration for at least one of the plurality of multiple context processing elements selected when a masked virtual identification of the at least one of the plurality of MCPEs corresponds to an address of the addresses of MCPEs in the second signal. 19. The system of claim 15, further comprising: means for assigning a physical identification (PID) and a virtual identification (VID) to each of a plurality of MCPEs in the networked array; configuration data for configuration of at least one MCPE, instruction, an address of the at least one MCPE, and an address mask; means for comparing the virtual identification masked with the address mask to addresses of MCPEs; and means for selecting an active configuration for the at least one of the plurality of MCPEs and means for manipulating the MCPE when the masked virtual identification of the at least one of the plurality of MCPEs corresponds to the address. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein means for manipulating is selected from the group comprising means for setting a finite state machine state, means for setting a programmable run context, means for setting a reset context, and means for setting a stall context.