CN8478 Datasheet, PDF (132/221 Pages) Conexant Systems, Inc – Multichannel Synchronous Communications Controller (MUSYCC)

5.0 Memory Organization
5.2 Descriptors
CN8478/CN8474A/CN8472A/CN8471A
Multichannel Synchronous Communications Controller (MUSYCC™)
5.2.6.3 INTA* Signal
Line
5.2.6.4 INTB* Signal
Line
In cases where both shared memory queue and internal queue are full and new
descriptors are generated, those descriptors are discarded. MUSYCC indicates it
has lost interrupts internally by overwriting the bit field ILOST in the last
Interrupt Descriptor in the internal queue. The ILOST indication represents one
or more lost descriptors.
The host must monitor the INTA* signal line at all times. An assertion on this line
signifies the INTCNT filed in the Interrupt Status Descriptor is non-0. A non-0
INTCNT signifies that Interrupt Descriptors have been written to the Interrupt
Queue in shared memory.
Upon detection of the INTA* assertion, the host must perform a direct read of
the Interrupt Status Descriptor from within MUSYCC. This descriptor provides
the offset to the location of the first unserviced descriptor in the queue, the
number of unserviced descriptors, and determines if the queue is full.
The INTCNT field is reset on each read of the Interrupt Status Descriptor.
As the INTCNT is reset, the INTA* signal is deasserted.
The host applies its interrupt service routines to service each of the
descriptors. As the host finishes servicing a number of descriptors, it writes the
offset to the location of the last serviced descriptor to the Interrupt Status
Descriptor, NEXTINT. A write to this field indicates to MUSYCC that descriptor
locations previously unserviced now have been serviced, and new descriptors can
be written. MUSYCC continues to write to available space whether the host
updates the NEXTINT field or not.
NOTE: After reading the Interrupt Status Descriptor, the host services all
unserviced descriptors (count of INTCNT starting at NEXTINT) in the
queue at the time of the read. If the host is unsuccessful in servicing this
set of descriptors, the host must provide an alternate method of tracking
unserviced descriptors. Every read of the status descriptors provides
information only on new descriptors placed in the queue autonomously by
MUSYCC since the last time the status descriptor was read.
A second interrupt signal line, the PCI INTB* signal line, is asserted by
MUSYCC when it detects an assertion on the EBUS EINT* signal line.
MUSYCC does not generate descriptors or use the interrupt queue for this
condition because it does not know the source or reason for the interrupt. The
reason is external to MUSYCC. This signal acts as an interrupt line pass-through
for devices connected to the EBUS. The EINT* signal line can be tied to interrupt
one or more output pins of one or more peripheral devices. As MUSYCC detects
EINT* assertion, MUSYCC asserts the INTB* towards the host as long as the
EINT* remains asserted.
5-46
Conexant
100660E