JPH10326155A - Time slot generation device and its action confirming method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a time slot generation device and its action confirming method able to designate the conditions for issue of a data transfer request and its discontinuation, etc., for confirmation of the system function action. SOLUTION: This device generates the time slots T1 to Tnn as the time units when the original data are divided and stored in the storages 106a, 106b and 106c. Then, the device performs the timing control based on the time slots T1 to Tnn to transfer the data from the storages 106a to 106c in parallel to each other and accordingly can transfer the original data at a transfer rate higher than the data sending speed of each storage. In such cases, an action confirmation register 123 is used to designate a time slot for the parallel transfer of data. Then, the data are transferred from those storages in parallel to each other only via the time slot that is designated by the register 123. Thus, the action of a time slot generation device can be confirmed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a time slot generation apparatus and an operation confirmation method thereof, and more particularly to a time slot generation for guaranteeing a data transfer rate of an external storage device such as a hard disk. And a method for confirming the operation of the time slot generating apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to read out large-sized data such as image and audio data from an external storage device and reproduce the data in real time, it is important to guarantee the transfer rate of the stored data at an appropriate value. is there. For example, 5Mb
If image data required to be played back in ps is stored in an external storage device and read at a data transfer rate of 4 Mbps, a data underflow will occur and the playback image will be interrupted.

In order to guarantee the transfer data rate, there is a method in which a data transfer request interrupt is generated at a fixed time interval, and a certain amount of data is read from an external storage during that time. For example, if an interrupt signal is input to the CPU device attached to the external storage device at a fixed time interval t using an interrupt generation device, and it can be guaranteed that data of the data size d is read from the external storage device during the time t, The transfer rate d / t can be guaranteed. The data size d that can be read at time t depends on the specifications of the external storage device to be used, the interrupt transfer request processing performance of the CPU, and the like.

[0004] In addition to guaranteeing the data transfer rate in this way, by increasing the transfer rate, it is possible to perform data transfer that guarantees real-time playback in more playback devices. Here, when the data transfer speed from the external storage device becomes a bottleneck, the system is expanded by using the external storage device and the CPU device that reads the external storage device as one cluster unit, and the read timing from the external storage device is added thereto. Generating device (TSG: Time Slo
As a configuration to which t Generator is added, there is a device that stores image data in a distributed manner between clusters. An apparatus for performing such timing generation is called a time slot generation apparatus (T
SG).

[0005] The time slot generation device divides the image data D read out at, for example, a time interval t into data D (0), D (1), D (2),. Then, D is stored in the external storage device of the cluster C0.
.., D (1), D (4), D (7),... In the external storage device of the cluster C1, and D (1), D (4), D (7),. (2), D (5), D
(8)... Are stored. The time slot generation device obtains D (0) and D (0) at time intervals t from the external storage device.
(1) and D (2) are read out in parallel, arranged in time order of data, and transferred to the reproducing apparatus. This makes it possible to increase the transfer rate.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image data transmission system to which a conventional time slot generation device is applied. In this image data transmission system, the CPU 101, the memory 102, and the time slot generation device 104 are connected to the internal bus 103 and
And a plurality of external devices 106 are connected from the time slot generation device 104 via an external bus 105.

On the other hand, the external device 106 is connected to a network
And data transmission. A receiving system 112 is provided at a data transmission destination of the network 109, and a CRT 113 is further provided.

The components of this system are as follows. The CPU 101 manages internal data transfer in the computer main body 120. The memory 102 is a computer main unit 1
20 includes both a main storage device and a hard disk device as a secondary storage device. Here, data to be transferred is stored.

The time slot generating device 104 has a CPU
Reference numeral 101 denotes a buffer device for transferring data to the external device 106 via the external bus 105 or performing data transfer on the reverse route, and a device for generating an operation timing to the external device 106 including a time slot. It is.

The external device 106 is a device such as an external hard disk device connected to the time slot generating device 104 via the external bus 105, and includes a disk main body for storing data and a CPU for controlling data reading and writing. Each external device 106 constitutes one unit of the above-mentioned cluster, and one or more external devices 106 are provided. The external device 106 transmits and receives data to and from the time slot generation device 104 via the external bus 105, and is also connected to a network interface 108 to transfer data 107 such as image data to the network interface 108.

The network interface 108 is
This is an interface that integrates transfer data from each external device 106 and sends it to the network. In the system configured as described above, data is transmitted from the external device 106 to the network 109 in real time. Although not shown, if a display device is connected instead of or in parallel with the network interface 108, data stored in the external device 106 can be reproduced on the spot in real time. Note that these operations are made possible by the time slot generation device 10.
4, and the operation of the time slot generation device 104 will be described in detail.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the operation timing on the external bus side of the time slot generation device. Here, the data in each external device 106 is transmitted to the network 109 by issuing a command from the computer main body 120, and the receiving system 1
A case where the image is displayed on the 12 CRTs 113 will be described.

First, necessary data transmission / reception is performed between the time slot generator 104 and a plurality of external devices 106 via the external bus 105 with reference to the output of the time slot generator 104.

As shown in FIG. 6, each time slot T
1, T2, T3,. . Is provided with an output timing 201 and an input timing 202 via the external bus 105. One or more timings 201 and 202 are provided in one time slot.
1, 202 may be only when the counter has a specific value or may have a certain time width. The length (period) of one time slot is T.

Here, at the output timing 201, the timing at which the data transfer 107 by the external device 106 is performed is given by the time slot generation device 104.
During this timing period, a data output completion notification from the external device 106 to the time slot generation device 104 is also issued. That is, at the output timing 201, the data transfer 107 from the external device 106 and commands and notifications required for the data transfer 107 are transmitted and received between the external bus 105 or the signal line to the network interface 108.

On the other hand, at the input timing 202, a timing for writing data to the external device 106 is given. For example, the network interface 108
When the image data to be transmitted to the memory is initially stored in the memory 102, each image data divided by the time slot generation device 104 is input to one of the external devices 106 via the external bus 105. In addition, various commands, notifications, and the like necessary for the input are exchanged.

The time slot is a reference for adjusting the timing between the external devices 106. Such timings 201 and 202 serve as a reference for data transfer in one time slot. The timing between the devices 106 is set so that each external device 106
Is executed in a time-division manner.

In the system shown in FIG. 5, in order to read data from the external device 106, it is necessary to transfer information to be transmitted from the CPU 101 and synchronize the external devices 106. Image data to be transmitted during one operation unit of the disk body of the external device 106, that is, between time slots, is transmitted to the network interface 108 as data transfer 107, and the operation status of the disk body is notified to the CPU 101 through the time slot generation device 104. I have.

For this purpose, the time slot generating device 104
As a result, a synchronization signal between the external devices 106 is generated, and the time slot generation device 104
It operates as a buffer for bidirectional data transfer between 01 and the external device 106.

The plurality of external devices 106 transmit and receive various data within one time slot as described above. The time slot generation device 104 notifies the time slot break to notify the external device 106 of the transmission / reception timing or to synchronize the external device 106 and the entire system. Further, in order to realize the above transmission and reception, various commands are issued to the external devices 106 as needed by the time slot generation device 104 in accordance with the timings 201 and 202 in the external devices 106. Where this command is issued in one time slot is predetermined in the time slot generator 104. Although each external device 106 does not need to know the detailed timing,
By the time the data such as the data output completion notification is transferred to the PU 101, the transfer data is prepared.

Based on the data sent from the time slot generator 104, the data in the disk of the external device 106 is sent to the network interface 108. Also, information such as whether the data transfer 107 to the network interface 108 has been completed normally is notified from the external device 106 to the time slot generation device 104. This corresponds to the fact that the timing serving as a reference for the operation is given in advance from the time slot generation device 104 in each external device 106.

The interface I / F on the external bus 105 side of the external device 106 is in a waiting state when data is not being transmitted / received. When the transfer of the image data and the like to the network interface 108 is completed, the external device 1
At 06, a WAIT (wait) state waits for input of the next command. In the WAIT state, the external device 106
Does not perform the data transfer 107 and enters a pause state.

As described above, the image data and the like transmitted from each external device 106 at the same timing are arranged in chronological order by the network interface 108 and transmitted to the network 109. As a result, the data transfer rate is guaranteed. The image data transmitted at the predetermined data transfer rate is received by the receiving system, and is displayed and output. The image data and the like sent from each external device 106 at the same timing may be directly displayed and reproduced by a display device (not shown) provided in place of the network interface 108.

The data reproducing operation of the system using the time slot generating device has been described above. Although the system shown in FIG. 5 has been described by taking as an example a system for transmitting image data to the network 109 or the like, the system using the time slot generation device is not limited to such a case. If the system outputs the continuous data in real time at a guaranteed data transfer rate by dividing the continuous data into a plurality of external devices 106 and storing and outputting the stored data at the same timing, the time slot generating device Can be applied to various systems.

By the way, in order to continuously reproduce image data and the like, the time slot generation device 104 issues commands and the like relating to the output timing 201 and the input timing 202 in all the time slots, and performs the data transfer generation and the generation. A stop condition must be given. Therefore, when receiving a command from the CPU 101 to perform data transfer 107 by the external device 106, the time slot generation device 104 continuously issues commands (data transfer request and the like) related to the timings 201 and 202 in each time slot according to a predetermined rule. ) Is issued.

[0026]

As described above, in the above-mentioned cluster system in which continuous data is divided and stored in a plurality of external devices 106 and the stored data is output at the same timing, the timing which is the reference of data transfer is used. And data transfer requests are issued continuously at predetermined time intervals.

However, continuous issuance of a reference timing, a data transfer request, and the like is indispensable during normal operation of the system. However, when confirming the operation and function of each device in the system, appropriate confirmation information is required. It will hinder acquisition.

Therefore, when confirming the function, a function capable of designating conditions for issuing a data transfer request and the like has been conventionally required in order to confirm the processing. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a time slot generation apparatus and a method for confirming the operation of the system, which enable specification of conditions for issuing or stopping a data transfer request for confirming the function operation of the system. The purpose is to provide.

[0029]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is a method according to claim 1, wherein when the original data is divided into a plurality of pieces and stored in a plurality of storage devices, a time unit is used. A time slot generation device that generates a time slot and performs parallel data transfer from each storage device by performing timing control based on the time slot, and designates a time slot for performing parallel data transfer. The time slot generation device includes a confirmation register, and performs an operation confirmation by executing parallel data transfer from each storage device only in a time slot designated in the operation confirmation register.

Since the present invention is provided with such means, it is possible to specify conditions for issuing or stopping a data transfer request only in a specified time slot. Therefore, it is possible to easily confirm the functional operation of the system.

Next, a second aspect of the present invention is the time slot generating apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the time slot generation itself performs the time slot generation itself even during a period other than the time slot specified by the operation confirmation register. It is.

Since the present invention is provided with such means, it is possible to surely achieve the same operation and effect as the invention corresponding to claim 1. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the operation check register includes a validity setting section, and the operation confirmation register is designated only when the validity setting section is set to valid. This is a time slot generation device that executes data transfer only in time slots.

Since the present invention is provided with such means, it has the same functions and effects as the invention according to claim 1 or 2, and can execute the above operation only when confirming the functional operation of the system. it can.

Further, the invention according to claim 4 generates a time slot as a time unit when the original data is divided into a plurality of pieces and stored in a plurality of storage devices,
In the method for confirming the operation of the time slot generation device for performing parallel data transfer from each storage device by performing timing control based on the time slot, a designation step of designating a time slot for performing parallel data transfer; And an operation check step of executing parallel data transfer from each storage device only in a designated time slot. The present invention is provided with such means.
The same operation and effect as those of the invention corresponding to (1) are provided.

[0035]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. (First Embodiment of the Invention) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image data transmission system to which a time slot generation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied, and FIGS. The same parts as those of the conventional apparatus shown in FIG.

The present embodiment is characterized by a part for confirming the operation of the system, and each part other than the part related to the confirmation of the operation is configured similarly to the system of FIG. That is, as a part related to the operation check, the image data transmission system is provided with a register 123 connected to the time slot generation device main body 122 and connected to the internal bus 103. Also, the time slot generation device 121
Is the time slot generator main body 122 and the register 12
3, the time slot generation device main body 1
22 operates according to the conditions set in the register 123. The other parts of the time slot generation device main body 122 are configured similarly to the time slot generation device 104 shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, the hard disk devices 106a and 106a are used as the external devices 106 shown in FIG.
06b and 106c are used. These hard disk devices 106a, 106b and 106c have the same configuration as the external device 106.

The register 123 stores data for designating conditions for generating and stopping data transfer timing.
Specifically, if the register 123 is set to be valid, data transfer is performed only in the first time slot. As described in the related art, the conditions for generating and stopping the data transfer timing are determined by the main body 122 of the time slot generation device.
a, 106b and 106c.

Next, the operation of the image data transmission system to which the time slot generating device according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above is applied will be described. First, at the time of normal image data transmission operation, the default value in the register 123, that is, the fact that the function confirmation operation is invalid is indicated in the CP.
It is set by U101. At this time, the CPU 101
, The time slot generation device main body 122 confirms that the default value is set in the register 123, and operates in the same manner as in the related art.

Next, a case where the operation is confirmed using the register 123 will be described. In this case, the register 123
The data of the conditions for generating the data transfer timing and the data of the stop conditions are written by the CPU 101 into the CPU. Specifically, the setting is made such that the bit for “valid only the first transfer” is valid.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing execution of data transfer in each embodiment. When the CPU 101 issues an operation command, that is, a data transfer request from the CPU 101 to the time slot generator main unit 122 in a state where the register 123 is set to the first transfer, the time slot generator main unit 122
As shown in (a), the data transfer operation is performed only during the first time slot T1 with reference to the register 123.
Subsequent time slots T2, T3, T4,. . T
n,. . At Tnn, only a timing signal serving as a reference of a time slot is issued, and no data transfer request is issued.

As a result, the operation of each part of the image data transmission system can be confirmed. As described above, the time slot generation device and the operation confirmation method thereof according to the embodiment of the present invention are the same as those of the external device 106 (the hard disk device 10).
Since the register 123 for designating the transfer operation in 6a, 106b and 106c) is provided, the data transfer operation in the external device required for the function verification can be limited and designated and executed.

Thus, the time slot generation device 12
1 and the operation of each part of the system such as an external device can be effectively confirmed. (Second Embodiment of the Invention) A time slot generating apparatus according to the present embodiment
a, and the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a register in a time slot generation device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The register 123a includes a validity setting unit 131 and a data transfer time slot setting unit 132.

The validity setting section 131 is a permission bit for determining whether or not to permit the content "valid only for the nth data transfer". Data transfer time slot setting unit 132
Is set to the value of n.

In the time slot generation device configured as described above, when a data transmission request is received from the CPU 101, first, the validity setting section 131 of the register 123a is referred to.

Here, if the bit indicating that the content "valid only for the n-th transfer" is valid is set, the value n of the data transfer time slot setting unit 132 is further referred to, and FIG. As shown in (5), only data transfer in the n-th time slot Tn is executed. In other time slots, only a reference timing signal is issued, and no data transfer request is issued.

If the validity setting section 131 is not set to be valid, the normal operation is performed by the time slot generator main body 122. As described above, the time slot generation device and the operation confirmation method according to the embodiment of the present invention can realize the operation of “validating only the specified n-th data transfer” by the register 123a. The same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the operation of each unit of the system such as the time slot generation device 121 and the external device can be confirmed more effectively. (Third Embodiment of the Invention) The time slot generating apparatus according to the third embodiment
The configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment except that b is provided.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a register in the time slot generation device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. This register 123b includes an effective setting unit 141,
It comprises an operation type setting unit 142 and a data transfer time slot setting unit 143.

The validity setting section 141 sets whether or not the operation for function verification is valid. In the operation type setting unit 142,
Specify the type of operation for function verification. This operation type has two types of contents. One of them is similar to the second embodiment in that "only the n-th data transfer is valid", and the other is that "the first to n-th data transfer is valid".

In the data transfer time slot setting section 143, a numerical value n for designating the number of times in the operation type setting section 142 is set. In the time slot generation device configured as described above, when performing the function test operation, first, C
The valid setting section 141 of the register 123b is accessed from the PU 101, and the valid setting is performed.

Next, the type of operation (valid only for the nth transfer / valid only for the nth transfer) is specified by the CPU 101 in the operation type setting unit 142, and the value n is set in the data transfer time slot setting unit 143. You.

When the CPU 101 issues a data transmission request to the time slot generation device 121 after the setting, the register 123b is referred to by the time slot generation device main body 122, and the validity setting section 141 is set to valid. If this is the case, the specified function confirmation operation is executed with reference to the operation type setting unit 142 and the data transfer time slot setting unit 143.

For example, if the operation type set in the operation type setting unit 142 is “valid only for the nth transfer”, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4B, only the data transfer of the n-th time slot Tn is executed, and if the type of operation is “valid only for the transfer up to the n-th time”, as shown in FIG. The data transfer of the time slots T1 to Tn is performed. Here, only the reference timing signal is issued in the remaining time slots, and no data transfer request is issued.

If the validity setting section 141 is not set to be valid, the normal operation is performed by the main body 122 of the time slot generator. As described above, the time slot generation apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention and the operation confirmation method thereof are described as follows: “valid only for the specified n-th data transfer” or “valid only for the specified n-th transfer” by the register 123b. Can be realized, so that the same effects as those of the first or second embodiment can be obtained, and the operation of each unit of the system such as the time slot generation device 121 and the external device can be confirmed more effectively. be able to.

That is, since the function can be inspected in various patterns, the operation can be confirmed more reliably. (Fourth Embodiment of the Invention) The time slot generating apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an operation type setting unit 14 of a register 123b.
The number of operation types set to 2 is increased, and the configuration is the same as that of the third embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the type of operation set in the operation type setting unit 142 is “valid only for the nth and subsequent transfers”.
Is added. The CPU 101 can select any one of “valid only for the n-th transfer”, “valid only for the n-th transfer”, and “valid only for the n-th and subsequent transfers” when validating the function inspection operation.

The setting of the numerical value n in the data transfer time slot setting section 143 is the same as that in the third embodiment. In the time slot generation device configured as described above, in addition to the same operation as in the third embodiment, the CPU 1
When 01 sets the operation "valid only for the nth and subsequent transfers", as shown in FIG. 4D, only the data transfer in the nth and subsequent time slots Tn to Tnn is executed. In other time slots, only a reference timing signal is issued, and no data transfer request is issued.

As described above, the time slot generation device and the operation confirmation method according to the embodiment of the present invention are described as “valid only for the specified n-th data transfer” or “transfer up to the specified n-th transfer” by the register 123b. Only the “valid” or “only the specified nth and subsequent transfers are valid” can be realized, so that the same effects as those of the first, second, or third embodiment can be obtained. The operation of each part of the system, such as 121 and external devices, can be confirmed more effectively.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but can be variously modified without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, the method described in the embodiment includes, for example, a magnetic disk (floppy disk, hard disk, etc.), an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD
Etc.), stored in a storage medium such as a semiconductor memory, or transmitted and distributed via a communication medium. A computer that implements the present apparatus reads a program recorded on a storage medium, and executes the above-described processing by controlling the operation of the program.

[0061]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the operation confirmation register is provided so that the time slot for data transfer can be designated. It is possible to provide a time slot generation device capable of designating a stop condition and the like and an operation confirmation method thereof.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image data transmission system to which a time slot generation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a register in a time slot generation device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a register in a time slot generation device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing execution of data transfer in each embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image data transmission system to which a conventional time slot generation device is applied.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing operation timing on the external bus side of the time slot generation device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 ... CPU 102 ... Memory 103 ... Internal bus 105 ... External bus 106a, 106b, 106c ... Hard disk drive 107 ... Data transfer 108 ... Network interface 109 ... Network 120 ... Computer main body 121 ... Time slot generation device 122 ... Time slot generation device main body 123, 123a, 123b register 131, 141 effective setting unit 132, 143 data transfer time slot setting unit 142 operation type setting unit T1-Tn, Tn-Tnn time slot

Claims (4)

[Claims] When the original data is divided into a plurality of pieces and stored in a plurality of storage devices, a time slot is generated as a unit of time, and timing control is performed based on the time slot to perform each storage. A time slot generation device for performing parallel data transfer from a device, comprising: an operation check register for specifying a time slot for performing the parallel data transfer, wherein each storage device is provided only in the time slot specified by the operation check register. A time slot generation device capable of performing an operation check by executing parallel data transfer from a device. 2. The time slot generation device according to claim 1, wherein the generation of the time slot itself is performed even during a period other than the time slot specified by the operation check register. 3. The operation check register according to claim 1, further comprising a validity setting unit, and performing data transfer only in a designated time slot only when the validity setting unit is set to valid. Item 3. The time slot generation device according to item 1 or 2. 4. When original data is divided into a plurality of pieces and stored in a plurality of storage devices, a time slot is generated as a unit of time, and timing control is performed based on the time slot to perform each storage. A method for confirming the operation of a time slot generation device for performing parallel data transfer from a device, comprising: a designation step of designating a time slot for performing the parallel data transfer; and a parallel operation from each storage device only in the designated time slot. An operation check step of performing an efficient data transfer.