Importance

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Abstract

An arbitration method for access to a serial bus includes the steps of monitoring for the presence of an arbitration reset gap on the serial bus, and arbitrating for an access, if needed, upon recognizing the presence of an arbitration reset gap on the serial bus. The method further comprises the steps of determining if immediately arbitrating for an additional access without waiting for the presence of another arbitration reset gap on the serial bus is authorized, upon successfully arbitrating for an access. If immediately arbitrating for an additional access is authorized, and the additional access is needed, arbitration for the additional access is immediately made. A method for controlling arbitration for access to a serial bus includes the step of programming bus agents with information for the bus agents to determine whether immediately arbitrating for additional accesses to the serial bus are authorized. A first apparatus suitable for used as a serial bus agent is provided with arbitration logic that performs the arbitration method. A second apparatus suitable for used as a serial bus agent is provided with arbitration control logic that performs the arbitration control method.

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First Claim