Method and apparatus for high bandwidth multi-source interconnection using point-to-point buses

Abstract

A method and apparatus for a high bandwidth multi-source interconnection using point-to-point buses that may be utilized in a communication switch is presented. In the communication switch, a number of output buffers are included to correspond to the outputs of the switch. Each output receives data from a number of different inputs to the switch. Each output buffer includes a plurality of queuing elements where each queuing element receives data from at least one of the inputs and buffers the data prior to insertion into an output data stream corresponding to the output of the output buffer. The plurality of queuing of elements are intercoupled in a daisy chain configuration such that a daisy chain output of one queuing element is coupled to the daisy chain input of the succeeding queuing element. The daisy chain configuration provides a data path through which a data stream that becomes the output of the output buffer is carried. A chain master queuing element at the head of the daisy chain inserts idles into the data stream unless an arbiter has instructed it to insert data that it has received from its corresponding inputs. Succeeding queuing elements on the daisy chain then receive the data stream and insert their data at the appropriate time determined by the arbitration grants received from the arbiter.