
1.
Introduction
All the memory trafc of PNX15xx Series modules is centralized into an internal Hub,
through the MTL bus, before it gets to the main memory interface module. In addition
to this network function, the HUB includes a generic arbiter for memory bandwidth
allocation.
Remark: The arbiter only deals with module memory traffic and not with CPU memory
traffic which is handled by the Main Memory Interface module, see
Chapter 9 DDRController. This is different approach than the PNX1300 Series arbiter.
1.1 Features
The key features of the HUB are:
Provides a hierarchical memory access network that connects module DMA
ports to a single access port of the Main Memory interface. DMA agents, i.e. the
PNX15xx Series modules are organized in clusters.
Includes simple round-robin sub-arbitration for lower levels of hierarchy
Provides sophisticated intermediate arbitration for upper levels of the network
hierarchy
Default settings allow each module to have access to the memory but may not t
latency requirement as soon as many modules are turned on simultaneously
2.
Functional Description
The Arbiter module is used as an arbiter between different DMA channel clusters.
Inside these clusters trafc from related DMA channels of Peripherals are combined
by applying round-robin arbitration. (see
Table 1 for a list of clusters and sub-
arbitrated DMA channels).
The arbitration engine combines Time-Division Multiple Access (TDMA), priority, and
round-robin methods; resulting in a guaranteed and high-level quality of service. The
arbitration engine ensures programmable maximum latency and programmable
minimal bandwidth to the unied resource. It also makes sure that best effort agents
are fairly granted when higher priority agents do not request the channel.
The priority table can be dynamically altered by software. Two priority tables are
implemented from which the inactive table can be changed on-the-y. The Arbiter
hardware takes care of smooth switching between the two tables.
Chapter 26: Memory Arbiter
PNX15xx Series Data Book – Volume 1 of 1
Rev. 3 — 17 March 2006
Product data sheet