System and method for sending arbitrary packet types across a data connector

摘要

A processing unit exchanges data with another processing unit across a data connector that supports a particular communication protocol. When the communication protocol is updated to support a new packet type, a specification of that new packet type may be stored within software registers included within the processing unit. Under circumstances that require the use of the new packet type, packet generation logic may read the packet specification of the new packet type, then generate and transmit a packet of the new type.

主权项

1. A computer-implemented method for transmitting packets from a first hardware unit to a second hardware unit across a data connector, the method comprising:
receiving a first signal that corresponds to a first packet type; reading a first packet specification from a software register, wherein the first packet specification defines the first packet type; generating a packet according to the first packet type based on the first packet specification; and causing the packet to be transmitted from the first hardware unit to the second hardware unit across the data connector.