Method and interface for improved efficiency in performing bus-to-bus read data transfers

摘要

A novel method and interface is provided for conducting read data transfers between an initiator device on a single-transaction bus and a target device on a split-transaction bus. Embodiments of the present invention permit the initiator device to "post" a read request for a specified amount of data from a specified address on the split-transaction bus to an interface that resides between the single-transaction bus and the split-transaction bus. The requested read data is then retrieved over the split-transaction bus and presented in a high-speed memory within the interface for direct access by the initiator device over the single-transaction bus. Latency is avoided because the initiator device is not required to wait for the emergence of the requested read data from the split-transaction bus but, instead, may continue to perform other activities on the single-transaction bus and then obtain the requested read data at a later time.