Multiple bus agent integrated circuit device for connecting to an external bus

摘要

A multiple peripheral component interconnect (PCI) agent integrated circuit device for connecting to an external PCI bus. In one embodiment, the present multiple PCI agent integrated circuit device includes, an integrated circuit which is adapted to be coupled to an external PCI bus. The integrated circuit includes an internal PCI bus built in. The internal PCI bus is adapted to transmit data signals thereon, and is further adapted to couple to the external PCI bus via a connector. A plurality of PCI agents are built into the integrated circuit, wherein each of the plurality of PCI agents are capable of performing an independent function. Each of the plurality of PCI agents are coupled to the internal PCI bus. A predictive arbiter is built into the integrated circuit and is coupled to both the internal PCI bus and to the plurality of PCI agents. The predictive arbiter arbitrates between the PCI agents for ownership of the internal PCI bus.