Patent ID: 6038630
Filing Date: 2000-03-14
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A multi-path access control device allowing simultaneous accessing of multiple external devices to be coupled thereto by multiple functional units coupled to said multi-path access control device, said multi-path access control device comprising:multiple bus ports coupled to multiple data buses, each bus port receiving requests from a different data bus, and wherein said multiple functional units are coupled to said multiple data buses for sending requests thereon for access to said multiple external devices, wherein at least one data bus of said multiple data buses has at least two functional units of said multiple functional units coupled thereto;a non-blocking crossbar switch coupled to said multiple bus ports for receiving and controlling forwarding of requests from said multiple functional units; andmultiple external device ports coupled to said non-blocking crossbar switch for receiving requests forwarded by said non-blocking crossbar switch from said multiple functional units, wherein multiple requests at said multiple bus ports directed to different external devices can be simultaneously forwarded by said non-blocking crossbar switch through different external device ports of said multiple external device ports for simultaneous accessing of said different external devices pursuant to said multiple requests.