Patent ID: 7177988
Filing Date: 2007-02-13
Classification: G06F,H03M,H04L,H04M

Abstract:
1. A method for sharing one or more memories between a processor and a direct memory access (DMA) engine, each memory being associated with a respective ownership flag, the method comprising: associating each of the processor and the DMA engine with a particular unique value for each flag; assigning use of each of the one or more memories to a corresponding one of the processor and the DMA engine when a respective ownership flag is set to its particular unique value during respective processor and DMA engine cycles; and assigning use of each of the one or more memories to the other one of the processor and the DMA engine during ensuing processor and DMA cycles; wherein a first instruction waits for the flags to indicate ownership; and wherein a second instruction sets the flags to indicate a lack of ownership.