Arbitration method for programmable multiple clock domain bi-directional interface

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a system including a memory interface logic unit for receiving memory access requests and corresponding information, a processor coupled to the memory interface logic, a plurality of pre-fetch buffers for handling memory accesses coupled to the memory interface logic unit, an arbiter logic unit for pre-fetching data into the plurality of pre-fetch buffers, a memory device for storing data coupled to the arbiter logic unit and the plurality of pre-fetch buffers, and busy detection logic for informing the arbiter logic unit of the current operation of the processor. The arbiter logic unit facilitates memory access via pre-fetch buffers of the processor and the memory in different or independent clock domains. The arbiter logic further allows random access without introducing additional latency.