Importance

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Abstract

An improved data processing system and in particular an improved data processing system that more effectively manages a shared resource within a data processing system. More specifically, a method and apparatus for managing access to a shared resource between a plurality of devices simultaneously requesting access to the shared resource. The present invention implements a design that combines a priority configuration and a shifting sequential configuration. The access is controlled by an arbiter that determines access to the shared resource by granting first, to priority devices and then to the highest priority shifting sequential device requesting access within one clock cycle of a device terminating its request for access to the shared resource. In addition, the present invention employs a dynamic shifting sequential priority scheme by assigning lowest priority to a shifting sequential device once the device terminates its request to access the shared resource while simultaneously incrementally increasing the priority levels of the remaining shifting sequential devices.

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First Claim