IP Library Granted Patent US 7,689,745
Granted Patent B2
US 7,689,745 · App. 11/159,980 · Granted Mar 30, 2010

Mechanism for synchronizing controllers for enhanced platform power management

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,689,745
App. No.
11/159,980
Granted
Mar 30, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

In one embodiment, an apparatus to synchronize multiple controllers is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a plurality of controllers, and logic coupled to the plurality of controllers to control one or more controllers of the plurality of controllers to perform fetches simultaneously with one or more other controllers of the plurality of controllers. Other embodiments are also described.

Claims (26)

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of controllers including a controller whose fetches are not synchronized with fetches of one or more other controllers of the plurality of controllers; and

logic coupled to the plurality of controllers to synchronize the unsynchronized controller such that the unsynchronized controller performs fetches simultaneously with the one or more other controllers by preventing the unsynchronized controller from performing a fetch until a start of frame marker from the one or more other controllers is observed, wherein the start of frame marker is associated with a timer that indicates when a time period to synchronize the plurality of controllers has expired;

wherein if a run indication from one or more other unsynchronized controllers is set before the start of frame marker is observed, the logic utilizes a pausing mechanism to prevent the one or more other unsynchronized controllers from performing a fetch.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the logic is a state machine.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein observing a start of frame marker includes receiving a timer expiration indication from the one or more other controllers.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the logic comprises one or more registers to indicate a state of each of the plurality of controllers.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the one or more registers each store an indication representing the state of each controller, the indication representing a first state if the controller is inactive and representing a second state if the controller is active.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein if two or more registers are set to the second state a pausing mechanism prevents all but one of the controllers from performing a fetch until a start of frame marker is observed.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , where in the plurality of controllers comprise Universal Serial Bus (USB) host controllers.

8. A system, comprising:

a memory controller located on a processor die; and

a controller hub communicatively coupled to the memory controller including:

a plurality of controllers including a controller whose fetches are not synchronized with fetches of one or more other controllers of the plurality of controllers; and

logic coupled to the plurality of controllers to synchronize the unsynchronized controller such that the unsynchronized controller performs fetches simultaneously with the one or more other controllers by preventing the unsynchronized controller from performing a fetch until a start of frame marker from the one or more other controllers is observed, wherein the start of frame marker is associated with a timer that indicates when a time period to synchronize the plurality of controllers has expired;

wherein if a run indication from one or more other unsynchronized controllers is set before the start of frame marker is observed, the logic utilizes a pausing mechanism to prevent the one or more other unsynchronized controllers from performing a fetch.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the logic is a state machine.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein if a first controller of the plurality of controllers is active, the logic operates to prevent the one or more other controllers from performing a fetch until a start of frame marker from the first controller is observed.

11. The system of claim 8 , wherein observing a start of frame marker includes receiving a timer expiration indication of the timer from the first controller.

12. The system of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of controllers comprise Universal Serial Bus (USB) host controllers.

13. A method, comprising:

initiating a plurality of host controllers including a controller whose fetches are not synchronized with fetches of one or more other controllers of the plurality of controllers; and

synchronizing the unsynchronized controller to perform fetches simultaneously with the one or more other controllers by preventing the unsynchronized controller from performing a fetch until a start of frame marker from the one or more other controllers is observed, wherein the start of frame marker is associated with a timer that indicates when a time period to synchronize the plurality of controllers has expired;

wherein if a run indication from one or more other unsynchronized controllers is set before the start of frame marker is observed, the logic utilizes a pausing mechanism to prevent the one or more other unsynchronized controllers from performing a fetch.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the synchronizing is performed by logic comprising a state machine.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of controllers comprise Universal Serial Bus (USB) host controllers.

Assignments (2)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 12, 2022
From: VENTURE LENDING & LEASING IX, INC.; WTI FUND X, INC.
To: PARALLEL WIRELESS, INC.
Reel/Frame 060900/0022 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 23, 2005
From: BENNETT, JOSEPH A.
To: INTEL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 016727/0665 →