Marvell International Limited

Andrew Artz

Larry L Byers

David M Purdham

An interrupt controller for a disk controller includes an interrupt scanner module that receives a plurality of interrupt requests (IRQs) from a plurality of corresponding interrupt sources, performs a scan of respective vector values of the plurality of IRQs, and selectively outputs a priority based on the scan. An interrupt generation module receives the priority and generates at least one of a fast interrupt and a regular interrupt based on the priority.

Interrupt controller for prioritizing interrupt requests in an embedded disk controller

A method and system for generating interrupts in an embedded disk controller is provided. The method includes receiving vector values for an interrupt; determining if an interrupt request is pending; comparing the received vector value with a vector value of the pending interrupt; and replacing a previous vector value with the received vector value if the received vector value has higher priority. The system includes, at least one register for storing a trigger mode value which specifies whether an interrupt is edge triggered or level sensitive, and a vector address field that specifies a priority and address for an interrupt, and a mask value which masks an interrupt source. Also provided is a method for generating a fast interrupt. The method includes, receiving an input signal from a fast interrupt source; and generating a fast interrupt signal based on priority and a mask signal.

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Saint Louis Park, MN, United States of America

Andrew Artz