System with multiple network protocol support
The present invention provides a system with multiple network protocol support. The system includes: a first memory, the first memory comprising program instructions for processing upper and lower layers of the network protocol; a first processor, where the first processor processes the upper layers of the network protocol for a data packet according to the program instructions in the first memory; and a second processor, where the second processor processes lower layers of the network protocol for the data packet according to the program instructions in the first memory. When the network protocol is changed, instructions for the new protocol is fetched from a second memory and placed in the first memory. Thus, the hardware of the system need not be redesigned when changing protocols, and the same on-system unit is used to implement each protocol. This increases flexibility, provides cost effectiveness, and increases the reliability of the system.
1. A system for supporting a network protocol, comprising:
a first memory, the first memory comprising program instructions for processing upper and lower layers of the network protocol for outgoing data packets and incoming data packets;
a first processor, wherein the first processor processes the upper layers of the network protocol for an outgoing data packet according to the program instructions in the first memory by packing upper layers of the network protocol for the outgoing data packet by the first processor, resulting in an interim data, and storing the interim data in a data memory; and
a second processor, wherein the second processor processes lower layers of the network protocol for the outgoing data packet according to the program instructions in the first memory by fetching the interim data from the data memory and packing lower layers of the network protocol for the interim data; and further wherein
the second processor processes lower layers of the network protocol for an incoming data packet according to the program instructions in the first memory by receiving an incoming data packet from a medium, unpacking lower layers of the network protocol for the incoming data packet, resulting in an interim data, storing the interim data in a data memory, and sending an interrupt to the first processor to inform the first processor that the interim data has been stored in the data memory; and further wherein
the first processor processes the upper layers of the network protocol for the incoming data packet according to the program instructions in the first memory by fetching, in response to the interrupt, the interim data from the data memory, and unpacking upper layers of the network protocol for the interim data.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first memory comprises:
an instruction memory comprising the program instructions; and
a data memory.
3. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) coupled to the second processor; and
a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) coupled to the second processor.
4. The system of claim 1 , adapted for supporting a plurality of network protocols, further comprising:
a second memory, the second memory comprising sets of program instructions for processing upper and lower layers of a plurality of network protocols, wherein one of the sets of program instructions is stored in the first memory when the network protocol is to be changed.
5. A method for supporting a network protocol, comprising the steps of:
(a) receiving a data packet from a medium;
(b) unpacking lower layers of the network protocol for the data packet by a second processor according to program instructions in memory, resulting in an interim data;
(c) storing the interim data in a data memory;
(d) sending an interrupt from the second processor to a first processor to inform the first processor that the interim data has been stored in the data memory;
(e) the first processor fetching, in response to the interrupt, the interim data from the data memory; and
(f) unpacking upper layers of the network protocol for the interim data by the first processor according to the program instructions in the memory.
6. The method of claim 5 , adapted for supporting a plurality of network protocols, further comprising:
(g) determining if the network protocol is to be changed;
(h) fetching program instructions for a new network protocol if the network protocol is to be changed; and
(i) storing the program instructions for the new network protocol in the memory.
7. A method for supporting a network protocol, comprising the steps of:
(a) obtaining a data by a first processor;
(b) packing upper layers of the network protocol for the data by the first processor according to program instructions in a memory, resulting in an interim data;
(c) storing the interim data in a data memory;
(d) fetching the interim data from the data memory by the second processor; and
(e) packing lower layers of the network protocol for the interim data by the second processor according to the program instructions in the memory.
8. The method of claim 7 , adapted for supporting a plurality of network protocols, further comprising:
(f) determining if the network protocol is to be changed;
(g) fetching program instructions for a new network protocol if the network protocol is to be changed; and
(h) storing the program instructions for the new network protocol in the memory.