PCI-Express data link transmitter employing a plurality of dynamically selectable data transmission priority rules

摘要

A PCI-Express data link transmitter includes a plurality of arbiters, each employing a distinct priority rule to select one of multiple scheduled TLPs and DLLPs based on their distinct types. A selector selects one of the arbiters to select the one of the multiple scheduled TLPs and DLLPs for transmission. A programmable storage element provides a value to control the selector. In one embodiment, the distinct priority rule employed by at least a first of the arbiters prioritizes TLPs higher than Ack/Nak DLLPs, and the distinct priority rule employed by at least a second of the arbiters prioritizes Ack/Nak DLLPs higher than TLPs. In one embodiment, at least a first arbiter prioritizes TLPs higher than Ack/Nak DLLPs and UpdateFC DLLPs, at least a second arbiter prioritizes Ack/Nak DLLPs higher than TLPs and UpdateFC DLLPs, and at least a third arbiter prioritizes UpdateFC DLLPs higher than TLPs and Ack/Nak DLLPs.