Data synchronizer using a parallel handshaking pipeline wherein validity indicators generate and send acknowledgement signals to a different clock domain

Abstract

A data synchronizer transfers information across an asynchronous interface by using system domain and core domain logic on either side of the asynchronous interface. Information registers receive data beats from a data bus coupled to an external system. Each data beat is loaded into the registers in sequential order. A corresponding system valid bit is provided for each register and is set when the corresponding register is loaded. In the core domain, a corresponding set of core valid bit registers is set in response to the system valid bit registers being set. A data sampler monitors the core valid bits in sequential order and controls a multiplexor to select a corresponding one of the registers that contains valid data. The data sampler resets the core valid bits which in-turn reset the system valid bits to signal the completion of a data transfer across the asynchronous interface.