Abstract:
A digital system and method of operation is provided in which the digital system has at least one processor, with an associated multi-segment cache memory circuit (506(n). Validity circuitry (VI) is connected to the memory circuit and is operable to indicate if each segment of the plurality of segments holds valid data. Dirty bit circuitry (DI) is connected to the memory circuit for indicating if data within the cache is incoherent with a secondary back-up memory. DMA circuitry can transfer (1652) blocks of data/instructions (1660) between the cache and a secondary memory (1602). A transfer mode circuit (1681) controls how DMA operations are affected by the dirty bits. If the transfer mode circuit is in a first mode, a DMA operation transfers only segments (1661) indicated as dirty (1685). If the transfer mode circuit is in a second mode, a DMA operation transfers and entire block of data (1660) without regard to dirty indicators (1686). DMA transfers from the cache to secondary memory are thereby configured to be responsive to the dirty bits. A dirty bit mode circuit (1680) controls how DMA transfers affect the dirty bits. When the mode circuit is in a first mode, DMA transfers set the affected dirty bits to a clean state. When the dirty bit mode circuitry is in an alternate mode, DMA transfers set the affected dirty bits to a dirty state. A cache clean operation will thus copy data provided by a DMA transfer and indicated as dirty into backup secondary memory.
Abstract:
A digital system and method of operation is provided in which the digital system has at least one processor, with an associated multi-segment cache memory circuit (1806(n). Validity circuitry (VI) and dirty bit circuitry (DI) is connected to the memory circuit and is operable to indicate if each segment of the plurality of segments holds valid data. Block circuitry (700, 702) is connected to the set of valid bits and dirty bits and is operable to invalidate a selected range of lines in response to a directive from the first processor. The block circuitry has a start register (700) and an end register (702) each separately loadable by the processor. The block circuitry can invalidate either a single line or a block of lines in response to an operation command from the processor, depending on whether the end register is loaded or not. Likewise, the block circuitry can clean a single line or a block of lines in response to an operation command from the processor.
Abstract:
An on-screen display system in which a CPU generates windows in a working memory space also provides for real time calculation of window addresses in the working memory space. This can eliminate the need for a separate frame buffer memory.
Abstract:
Protocol processor intended to be associated with at least one main processor of a system with a view to the execution of tasks to which the main processor is not suited. The protocol processor comprises a program part (30) including an incrementation register (31), a program memory (33) connected to the incrementation register (31) in order to receive addresses thereof, a decoding part (35) intended to receive instructions from the program memory (33) of the program part (30) with a view to executing an instruction in two cycles, and a data part (36) for executing the instruction.
Abstract:
An interconnection-point memory which includes an array of N1 input buses (Rj) intended to be connected to a first plurality of N1 data-sender devices, an array of N2 output buses (Ck) intended to be connected to a second plurality of N2 data-receiver devices, and interconnection means (17) for connecting the array of input buses to the array of output buses. The interconnection means include on the one hand, a third plurality of N3 switching memories (FIFO m) used as first-in, first-out FIFO devices provided with a write port (Din) and with a read port (Dout), and on the other hand, first control means (S[j,m],24a,24b) for connecting in a virtual manner the input port of at least one switching memory to a specified input bus, and second control means (S[k,m],24a',24b') for connecting in a virtual manner at least one output bus to the read port of the said switching memory, so that the said specified switching memory constitutes a temporary interconnection point, independent of the input buses and output buses to be interconnected. This interconnection-point memory enables Application to the asynchronous transfer of data between senders and receivers.
Abstract:
Interconnection-pin memory comprising an array of dual-port switching memories used as first-in, first-out devices, characterized in that each dual-port memory (3, 4) of the memory array includes a write-only port (15, 23) and a read-only port (18, 19, 20, 21) having separate address and control signals.
Abstract:
Device for the testing and checking of the operation of blocks within an integrated circuit, characterized in that it is formed from a set of shift registers and logic circuits associated with each block of the circuit to be tested, the set of registers including at least one test register (35), one status register (36) and one mask register (37), the status register (36) being connected to the outputs (ST0 to ST15) of the block to be tested while the test and mask registers (35,37) and the logic circuits (38,39) are connected to a central processing unit (1) of the integrated circuit of which the blocks form part, the central processing unit (1) being also connected to the said blocks (7,10) by a common interrupt line (.SIGMA.INT).
Abstract:
A color signal is encoded into luminance and chrominance signals. Relationships between the luminance and chrominance signals, and the color components are computed. A color component signal is generated by matrixing these relationships. In addition, a signal processor may be used to combine other video images with the color component signal.
Abstract:
The point processor includes a network of memory cells (33) addressable into rows and columns (direction X and Y). A control unit (42) effects reading and writing into the network according to parameters established in advance. This processor is integrated into a video display system for various image manipulations.
Abstract:
A method and system for performing a Java interrupt. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising executing a thread having a context on a stack based on a first program counter, detecting an interrupt while executing the thread (wherein execution of the thread is temporarily suspended), and executing a method portion to handle the interrupt (wherein the method portion is executed on the stack based on the first program counter, and wherein the context during execution of the method portion is the same as during execution of the thread).