Efficiently implementing a plurality of finite state machines

摘要

An approach for processing data by a pipeline of a single hardware-implemented virtual multiple instance finite state machine (VMI FSM) is presented. Based on a current state and context of an FSM instance, an input token selected from multiple input tokens to enter a pipeline of the VMI FSM, and a status of an environment, a new state of the FSM instance is determined and an output token is determined. The input token includes a reference to the FSM instance. In one embodiment, the reference is an InfiniBand QP number. After a receipt by the pipeline of the first input token and prior to determining the new state of the FSM instance and determining the output token, a logic circuit selects a second input token to enter the pipeline. The second input token includes a reference to a second FSM instance.

主权项

1. A logic circuit-implemented method of processing data by a pipeline of a virtual multiple instance finite state machine (VMI FSM), said method comprising:
based on a current state of a first set of one or more FSM instances (first FSM instance) of a plurality of FSM instances included in said VMI FSM, and further based on a context of said first FSM instance, a first input value of a first input token selected to enter a pipeline of said VMI FSM, and a status of an environment, determining a new state of said first FSM instance, said first input token including a first field that includes a reference to said first FSM instance and a second field that includes said first input value; determining a first output token based on said current state of said first FSM instance, said context of said first FSM instance, said first input value, and said status of said environment; writing said new state and said context of said first FSM instance to an array; and subsequent to a receipt by said pipeline of said first input token and prior to said determining said new state and said determining said first output token, a logic circuit selecting a second input token to enter said pipeline of said VMI FSM, wherein said second input token includes (1) a first field that includes a reference to a second set of one or more FSM instances (second FSM instance) of said plurality of FSM instances and (2) a second field that includes a second input value.