System for maximizing bandpass on an interface directly coupling two units where the interface has independently operative data and address interconnections, and computer sysem employing same.

Abstract

A control system and interface is provided for controlling the transmission of address and data signals via independently operative bi-directional address and data interfaces, respectively, within a data processing system. The system allows address signals to be transferred via the address interface either before, or after, associated data signals are transferred. The address interface operates at a rate which is independent of the rate achieved on the data interface. Address signals transferred on the address interface are stored in one of a plurality of address storage devices depending on request type. A routing circuit associates later-provided data signals with the address storage device storing the associated address signals, and a correlation circuit allows the address storage device to record the data transfer with the associated address signals. According to one embodiment, the correlation is performed using a pointer indicative of a storage location temporarily storing the data signals. If the data signals are transferred prior to the associated address signals, the data signals are temporarily stored until the associated address signals are transferred, sorted, and associated with a selected one of the address storage devices. Following correlation of address and data signals, the associated request is eligible for processing based on the availability of the requested resource.