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:
Sep. 07, 1999
Filed:
Jun. 09, 1997
Richard Francis Frankeny, Elgin, TX (US);
Krisnamurthy Venkatramani, Austin, TX (US);
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
A cross-bar switch is implemented in a multiprocessor system which allows for bidirectional communication between a device and the cross-bar switch such that information may be transferred simultaneously between both. The cross-bar switch is not informed of the integrated circuit device's actions before a communication link is established. Rather, the bidirectional transmitter utilized herein allows the transmission of control information to the cross-bar switch while the cross-bar switch communicates to the integrated circuit device over the same transmission lines. Such bidirectional communication allows the designer of a multiprocessor communication system to minimize control lines and transmit both data and control signals over the same communication bus.