The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 20, 1998
Filed:
Jun. 07, 1995
Robert W Horst, Saratoga, CA (US);
William J Watson, Austin, TX (US);
David P Sonnier, Austin, TX (US);
Tandem Computers Incorporated, Cupertino, CA (US);
Abstract
A data communicating device, having a number of inputs whereat data is received for communication from one of a number of outputs of the device, includes apparatus for providing two levels of arbitration to select one of the inputs for data communication to an output. The first (lower) level of arbitration bases selection upon a round-robin order; the second (higher) arbitration level selects inputs based upon an indication from an input of an undue wait for access to the output over a period of time. Each input is provided a modulo-N counter, and a digital counter. Each time an input contends for access to an output and loses to selection by the output to another input, the modulo-N counter is incremented by an assigned value for that input. When N is exceed without access, the digital counter is incremented. The content of the counter operates to force the high-level arbitration.