Patent ID: 6665755
Filing Date: 2003-12-16
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A method for providing external memory services to a multi-thread packet processor comprising:decoding information data sequences for a data packet within the multi-thread packet processor to determine assigning an operation to one of a first external memory bank and a second external memory bank; executing a read operation by comparing a read address with addresses stored in a write buffer, initiating a read, and replacing read data with data in the write buffer; executing a write operation by comparing a write address with addresses stored in a write buffer when the write buffer is enabled, and writing data to a reserved location in the write buffer; executing an atomic add operation by performing a write operation in the write buffer if there is available space in the write buffer; executing a lookup operation by indexing into a memory bank based on a base address, a key, and a key length, and conducting flow and memory accesses of the memory bank; and returning a result data field to the multi-thread packet processor when one operation is completed.