Patent ID: 6434638
Filing Date: 2002-08-13
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
In a synchronous communication system having a plurality of subsystems coupled to a system bus, a protocol for arbitrating control of said bus between a first subsystem and a second subsystem, said protocol comprising:allowing said first subsystem to control said bus substantially upon request using a transparent latch within said first subsystem if there is no activity on said bus by allowing said first subsystem to transmit said reguest and data substantially simultaneously, said request being transmitted during said transmission of said data; granting access to said bus to said second subsystem using a transparent latch within said second subsystem at least one cycle after requesting access to said bus; granting bus access to said second subsystem upon the completion of data transmission by said first said subsystem one cycle thereafter; and granting bus access to said first subsystem one cycle after said second subsystem ends transmission after said first subsystem requests access to said bus.