• Separate upper-byte and lower-byte control for
multiplexed bus compatibility
• IDT70V24 easily expands data bus width to 32 bits or
more using the Master/Slave select when cascading
more than one device
FUNCTIONAL BLOCK DIAGRAM
W
L
R/
UB
L
•M/S = H for
M/S = L for
BUSY
output flag on Master
BUSY
input on Slave
• Busy and Interrupt Flags
• Devices are capable of withstanding greater than 2001V
electrostatic charge.
• On-chip port arbitration logic
• Full on-chip hardware support of semaphore signaling
between ports
• Fully asynchronous operation from either port
• LVTTL-compatible, single 3.3V (±0.3V) power supply
• Available in 84-pin PGA, 84-pin PLCC, and 100-pin
TQFP
DESCRIPTION:
The IDT70V24 is a high-speed 4K x 16 Dual-Port Static
RAM. The IDT70V24 is designed to be used as a stand-alone
64K-bit Dual-Port RAM or as a combination MASTER/SLAVE
W
R
R/
UB
R
NOTES:
1. (MASTER):
BUSY
is output;
(SLAVE):
is input.
2.
BUSY
outputs
and
INT
outputs
are non-tri-stated
push-pull.
BUSY
I/O8L-I/O
I/O0L-I/O
BUSY
LBCEOE
L
A
A
SEM
INT
15L
(1,2)
11L
0L
L
L
L
L
I/O
12
Control
MEMORY
ARRAY
ARBITRATION
INTERRUPT
SEMAPHORE
LOGIC
M/
S
7L
Address
Decoder
CE
L
OE
L
R/
W
L
L
(2)
I/O
Control
Address
Decoder
12
CE
R
OE
R
R/
W
R
LB
R
CE
R
OE
R
I/O8R-I/O
I/O0R-I/O
BUSY
A
11R
A
0R
SEM
R
(2)
INT
R
2911 drw 01
15R
7R
(1,2)
R
The IDT logo is a registered trademark of Integrated Device Technology, Inc.
HIGH-SPEED 3.3V 4K x 16 DUAL-PORT STATIC RAMCOMMERCIAL TEMPERATURE RANGE
Dual-Port RAM for 32-bit-or-more word systems. Using the
IDT MASTER/SLAVE Dual-Port RAM approach in 32-bit or
wider memory system applications results in full-speed, errorfree operation without the need for additional discrete logic.
This device provides two independent ports with separate
control, address, and I/O pins that permit independent,
asynchronous access for reads or writes to any location in
1L
0L
GND
I/O
I/O
IDT70V24
84-PIN PLCC/
FLATPACK
TOP VIEW
R
15R
OE
I/O
(1,2)
L
OE
J84-1
F84-2
R
W
R/
L
L
L
L
W
CC
R/
SEM
V
UB
CE
82 81 80 79 78 77 76 75
(3)
46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53
R
R
R
R
LB
CE
UB
GND
SEM
L
LB
N/C
11R
A
N/C
10R
A
11L
A
10L
9L
8L
A
A
A
A
7L
74
A
6L
73
A
5L
72
A
4L
71
A
3L
70
A
2L
69
A
1L
68
A
0L
67
INT
L
66
BUSY
65
GND
64
63
M/
S
62
BUSY
61
INT
R
60
A
0R
59
A
1R
58
A
2R
57
A
3R
56
A
4R
A
5R
55
A
6R
54
2911drw 02
9R
7R
8R
A
A
A
PIN CONFIGURATIONS
6L
3L
5L
INDEX
I/O
I/O
I/O
I/O
I/O
I/O
GND
I/O
I/O
V
GND
I/O
I/O
I/O
V
I/O
I/O
I/O
I/O
I/O
I/O
7L
I/O
I/O
11109876543218483
8L
12
9L
13
10L
14
11L
15
12L
16
13L
17
18
14L
19
15L
20
CC
21
22
0R
23
1R
24
2R
25
CC
26
3R
27
4R
28
5R
29
6R
30
7R
31
8R
32
33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45
9R
10R
I/O
I/O
11R
I/O
2L
4L
I/O
I/O
I/O
I/O
12R
14R
13R
GND
I/O
I/O
I/O
memory. An automatic power down feature controlled by
permits the on-chip circuitry of each port to enter a very low
standby power mode.
Fabricated using IDT’s CMOS high-performance technol-
ogy, these devices typically operate on only 350mW of power.
The IDT70V24 is packaged in a ceramic 84-pin PGA, an
84-Pin PLCC, and a 100-pin Thin Quad Plastic Flatpack.
L
R
CE
NOTES:
1. All Vcc pins must be connected to the power supply.
2. All GND pins must be connected to the ground supply.
3. This text does not indicate the actual part marking.
6.382
IDT70V24S/L
HIGH-SPEED 3.3V 4K x 16 DUAL-PORT STATIC RAMCOMMERCIAL TEMPERATURE RANGE
PIN CONFIGURATIONS (CONT'D)
63616058555451484645
11
I/O
7L
5L
I/O4LI/O2LI/O
I/O
64
66
10
I/O
10L
67
09
I/O
11L
69
08
I/O
13L
72
07
I/O
15L
75
06
I/O
0R
76
05
I/O
1R
79
04
I/O
3R
81
03
I/O
5R
82
02
I/O6RI/O
84346915131618
01
I/O8RI/O
62
I/O8LI/O6LI/O3LI/O
65
I/O
9L
68
I/O
12L
71
73
I/O
14L
V
CC
70
74
GND
GND
77
78
V
CC
I/O
2R
80
I/O
4R
83
I/O
7R
125
9R
I/O
11R
I/O
(1,2)
A
0L
5956495040
1L
575352
GND
IDT70V24
84-PIN PGA
TOP VIEW
7
81110
10R
I/O
13R
I/O
15R
12R
I/O
14R
OERLB
SEM
OE
L
L
UB
R/
V
CC
G84-3
(3)
12
SEM
GNDGND
141720
R
R/
W
R
CE
UB
CE
L
L
W
L
R
R
R
LB
4744
N/C
A
N/C
L
11R
11L
A
9L
3335
BUSY
L
3231
GND
2829
A
0R
A
8R
A
10R
A
10L
43
A
8L
41
A
6L
38
A
3L
A
0L
M/
S
INT
R
26
A
2R
23
A
5R
2224
A
6R
1921
A
9R
42
A
7L
A
5L
39
A
4L
37
A
2L
34
INT
36
A
1L
30
BUSY
27
A
1R
25
A
3R
A
4R
A
7R
L
R
ABCDEFGHJ KL
Index
NOTES:
1. All V
CC pins must be connected to power supply.
2. All GND pins must be connected to ground supply.
3. This text does not indicate the actual part-marking.
PIN NAMES
Left PortRight PortNames
L
CE
LR/WRRead/Write Enable
R/
W
L
OE
0L – A11LA0R – A11RAddress
A
I/O
0L – I/O15LI/O0R – I/O15RData Input/Output
L
SEM
L
UB
L
LB
L
INTBUSY
L
CE
RChip Enable
OE
ROutput Enable
SEM
RSemaphore Enable
UB
RUpper Byte Select
LB
RLower Byte Select
INT
RInterrupt Flag
BUSY
RBusy Flag
M/
S
V
CCPower
Master or Slave Select
GNDGround
2911 drw 04
2911 tbl 1
6.383
IDT70V24S/L
HIGH-SPEED 3.3V 4K x 16 DUAL-PORT STATIC RAMCOMMERCIAL TEMPERATURE RANGE
TRUTH TABLE I – NON-CONTENTION READ/WRITE CONTROL
(1)
CECE
CE
CECE
R/
Inputs
WW
W
WW
OEOE
OE
OEOE
UBUB
UB
UBUB
LBLB
LB
LBLB
SEMSEM
SEM
SEMSEM
Outputs
I/O
8-15I/O0-7Mode
HXXXXHHigh-ZHigh-ZDeselected: Power Down
XXXHHHHigh-ZHigh-ZBoth Bytes Deselected
LLXLHHDATA
LLXHLHHigh-ZDATA
LLXLLHDATA
LHLLHHDATA
LHLHLHHigh-Z DATA
LHLLLHDATA
INHigh-ZWrite to Upper Byte Only
INWrite to Lower Byte Only
INDATAINWrite to Both Bytes
OUT High-ZRead Upper Byte Only
OUT Read Lower Byte Only
OUT DATAOUT Read Both Bytes
XXHXXXHighZHigh-ZOutputs Disabled
NOTE:
1. A0L — A11L≠ A0R — A11R.
TRUTH TABLE II – SEMAPHORE READ/WRITE CONTROL
(1)
2911 tbl 02
InputsOutputs
CECE
CE
CECE
HHLXXLDATA
XHLHHLDATA
H
XXHHLDATA
R/
WW
W
WW
OEOE
OE
OEOE
UBUB
UB
UBUB
LBLB
LB
LBLB
SEMSEM
SEM
SEMSEM
I/O
8-15I/O0-7Mode
OUT DATAOUT Read Data in Semaphore Flag
OUT DATAOUT Read Data in Semaphore Flag
XXXLDATAINDATAINWrite DIN0 into Semaphore Flag
INDATAINWrite DIN0 into Semaphore Flag
LXXLXL——Not Allowed
LXXXLL——Not Allowed
NOTE:
1. There are eight semaphore flags written to via I/O
ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS
0 and read from all of the I/O's (I/O0 - I/O15). These eight semaphores are addressed by A0 - A2.
(1)
SymbolRatingCommercial Unit
(2)
V
TERM
Terminal Voltage–0.5 to +4.6V
with Respect
to GND
T
AOperating0 to +70°C
Temperature
T
BIASTemperature–55 to +125°C
Under Bias
T
STGStorage–55 to +125°C
RECOMMENDED DC OPERATING
CONDITIONS
SymbolParameterMin.Typ.Max. Unit
V
CCSupply Voltage3.03.33.6V
GNDSupply Voltage000V
V
IHInput High Voltage2.0—Vcc+0.3 V
V
ILInput Low Voltage-0.3
NOTES:2911 tbl 06
1. VIL≥ -1.5V for pulse width less than 10ns.
2. V
TERM must not exceed Vcc + 0.5V.
(1)
—0.8V
2911 tbl 03
Temperature
I
OUTDC Output50mA
Current
NOTES:2911 tbl 04
1. Stresses greater than those listed under ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM
RATINGS may cause permanent damage to the device. This is a stress
rating only and functional operation of the device at these or any other
conditions above those indicated in the operational sections of this
specification is not implied. Exposure to absolute maximum rating
conditions for extended periods may affect reliability.
2. V
TERM must not exceed Vcc +0.5V for more than 25% of the cycle time or
10ns maximum, and is limited to
+ 0.5V
.
< 20ma for the period over VTERM > Vcc
RECOMMENDED OPERATING
CAPACITANCE
(TA = +25°C, F = 1.0MHZ) TQFP ONLY
SymbolParameterConditions
C
INInput CapacitanceVIN = 3dV9pF
C
OUTOutputVOUT = 3dV11pF
NOTES:2911 tbl 07
1. This parameter is determined by device characterization but is not
production tested.
2. 3dV references the interpolated capacitance when the input and output
signals switch from 0V to 3V or from 3V to 0V.
Capacitance
(1)
(2)
Max.Unit
TEMPERATURE AND SUPPLY VOLTAGE
Ambient
GradeTemperatureGNDV
Commercial0°C to +70°C0V3.3V ± 0.3
CC
2911 tbl 05
6.384
IDT70V24S/L
HIGH-SPEED 3.3V 4K x 16 DUAL-PORT STATIC RAMCOMMERCIAL TEMPERATURE RANGE
DC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS OVER THE
OPERATING TEMPERATURE AND SUPPLY VOLTAGE RANGE
EWChip Enable to End-of-Write
AWAddress Valid to End-of-Write20—30—45—ns
t
t
ASAddress Set-up Time
t
WPWrite Pulse Width20—25—40—ns
t
WRWrite Recovery Time0—0—0—ns
t
DWData Valid to End-of-Write15—20—30—ns
(4)
UB
or LB = VIL,
(1, 2)
t
HZOutput High-Z Time
DHData Hold Time
t
WZWrite Enable to Output in High-Z
t
OWOutput Active from End-of-Write
t
SWRD
t
SPS
t
NOTES:2911 tbl 12
1. Transition is measured ±200mV from Low or High-impedance voltage with Output Test Load (Figure 2).
2. This parameter is guaranteed by device characterization, but is not production tested.
3. To access RAM, CE = V
time.
4. The specification for t
over voltage and temperature, the actual t
5. "X" in part numbers indicates power rating (S or L).
SEM
Flag Write to Read Time5—5—5—ns
SEM
Flag Contention Window5—5—5—ns
IL,
DH must be met by the device supplying write data to the RAM under all operating conditions. Although tDH and tOW values will vary
(3)
(3)
(1, 2)
(1, 2, 4)
SEM
= VIH. To access semaphore, CE = VIH and
DH will always be smaller than the actual tOW.
(5)
IDT70V24X25IDT70V24X35IDT70V24X55
20—30—45—ns
0—0—0—ns
—15—20—25ns
0—0—0—ns
—15—20—25ns
0—0—0—ns
SEM
= VIL. Either condition must be valid for the entire tEW
6.387
IDT70V24S/L
HIGH-SPEED 3.3V 4K x 16 DUAL-PORT STATIC RAMCOMMERCIAL TEMPERATURE RANGE
TIMING WAVEFORM OF WRITE CYCLE NO. 1, R/
t
WC
ADDRESS
OE
t
t
WZ
AW
(2)
t
WP
(7)
CE
UB
DATA
or
SEM
or
R/
DATA
LB
W
OUT
(9)
(9)
(6)
t
AS
(4)(4)
IN
WW
W
CONTROLLED TIMING
WW
(3)
t
WR
t
OW
t
DW
t
DH
(1,5,8)
t
HZ
(7)
2911 drw 08
TIMING WAVEFORM OF WRITE CYCLE NO. 2,
t
WC
CECE
CE
CECE
,
UBUB
UB
UBUB
LBLB
,
LB
CONTROLLED TIMING
LBLB
(1,5)
ADDRESS
t
AW
SEM
LB
R/
(9)
t
WR
(3)
(9)
(6)
t
AS
t
EW
(2)
W
t
DW
IN
EW or tWP) of a Low
CE
or R/W (or
SEM
Low transition occurs simultaneously with or after the R/W low transition, the outputs remain in the High-impedance state.
DW. If
SEM
IL,
WP.
UB
or LB = VIL,
UB
or LB and a Low CE and a Low R/W for memory array writing cycle.
SEM
or R/W) going High to the end of write cycle.
OE
is High during an R/W controlled write cycle, this requirement does not apply and the write pulse can
= VIH. To access semaphore, CE = VIH and
WP or (tWZ + tDW) to allow the I/O drivers to turn off and data
t
DH
SEM
= VIL. Either condition must be valid for the entire tEW
2911 drw 09
CE
or
UB
or
DATA
NOTES:
1. R/W or CE or UB & LB must be High during all address transitions.
2. A write occurs during the overlap (t
3. t
WR is measured from the earlier of
4. During this period, the I/O pins are in the output state and input signals must not be applied.
5. If the CE or
6. Timing depends on which enable signal is asserted last, CE, R/W or byte control.
7. This parameter is guaranteed by device characterization, but is not production tested. Transition is measured ±200mV from Low or High-impedance voltage
with Output Test Load (Figure 2).
8. If OE is Low during R/W controlled write cycle, the write pulse width must be the larger of t
to be placed on the bus for the required t
be as short as the specified t
9. To access RAM, CE = V
time.
6.388
IDT70V24S/L
HIGH-SPEED 3.3V 4K x 16 DUAL-PORT STATIC RAMCOMMERCIAL TEMPERATURE RANGE
TIMING WAVEFORM OF SEMAPHORE READ AFTER WRITE TIMING, EITHER SIDE
t
t
SAA
A0-A
SEM
I/O
R/
W
2
0
VALID ADDRESS
t
AW
t
EW
DATA
VALID
t
AS
t
WP
t
t
DW
WR
VALID ADDRESS
t
ACE
t
SOP
IN
t
DH
t
SWRD
OE
Read CycleWrite Cycle
NOTES:
1.CE = V
2. "DATA
IH or
UB
& LB = VIH for the duration of the above timing (both write and read cycle).
OUT VALID" represents all I/O's (I/O0-I/O15) equal to the semaphore value.
TIMING WAVEFORM OF SEMAPHORE WRITE CONTENTION
DATA
t
AOE
(1,3,4)
OUT
VALID
OH
(2)
2911 drw 10
(1)
A
0"A"-A2"A"
(2)
SIDE
SIDE
NOTES:
1. D
0R = D0L = VIL, CER = CEL = VIH, or Both
2. “A” may be either left or right port. “B” is the opposite port from “A”.
3. This parameter is measured from R/
4. If t
SPS is not satisfied there is no guarantee which side will be granted the semaphore flag.
(2)
“A”
“B”
R/
SEM
A
0"B"-A2"B"
R/
SEM
W
A or
W
"A"
"A"
W
"B"
"B"
UB
& LB = VIH Semaphore Flag is released from both sides (reads as ones from both sides) at cycle start.
SEM
A going High to R/WB or
MATCH
MATCH
t
SPS
SEM
2911 drw 11
B going High.
6.389
IDT70V24S/L
HIGH-SPEED 3.3V 4K x 16 DUAL-PORT STATIC RAMCOMMERCIAL TEMPERATURE RANGE
AC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS OVER THE
OPERATING TEMPERATURE AND SUPPLY VOLTAGE RANGE
INSInterrupt Set Time—25—30—40ns
INRInterrupt Reset Time—30—35—45ns
t
NOTE:2911 tbl 14
1. "X" in part numbers indicates power rating (S or L).
WAVEFORM OF INTERRUPT TIMING
ADDR
"A"
(3)
t
AS
CE
"A"
R/
W
"A"
(3)
t
INS
(1)
t
WC
INTERRUPT SET ADDRESS
(2)
INT
"B"
2911 drw 16
t
RC
ADDR
"B"
t
AS
CE
"B"
OE
"B"
INT
"B"
NOTES:
1. All timing is the same for left and right ports. Port “A” may be either the left or right port. Port “B” is the port opposite from “A”.
2. See Interrupt truth table.
3. Timing depends on which enable signal (
4. Timing depends on which enable signal (
INTERRUPT CLEAR ADDRESS
(3)
(3)
t
INR
CE
or R/W ) is asserted last.
CE
or R/W ) is de-asserted first.
(2)
2911 drw 17
TRUTH TABLES
TRUTH TABLE III — INTERRUPT FLAG
Left PortRight Port
WW
R/
CECE
W
L
CE
WW
CECE
LL XFFFXXXXXL
XXXXXXLLFFFH
XXXXL
XLLFFEH
NOTES:2911 tbl 15
1. Assumes
2. If
3. If
BUSY
BUSY
L = VIL, then no change.
BUSY
R = VIL, then no change.
OEOE
L
L =
OE
OEOE
BUSY
L A11L-A0L
R = VIH.
INTINT
INT
INTINT
LR/
(3)
(2)
(1)
WW
CECE
W
R
CE
WW
CECE
LLXFFEXSet Left
OEOE
R
R A11R-A0R
OE
OEOE
INTINT
RFunction
INT
INTINT
(2)
Set Right
(3)
Reset Right
INT
XXXXXReset Left
INT
INT
R Flag
INT
R Flag
L Flag
L Flag
6.3812
IDT70V24S/L
HIGH-SPEED 3.3V 4K x 16 DUAL-PORT STATIC RAMCOMMERCIAL TEMPERATURE RANGE
TRUTH TABLE IV —
ADDRESS BUSY ARBITRATION
InputsOutputs
A
0L-A11L
CECE
CECE
L
CE
CECE
XX
HX
XH
LL
NOTES:2911 tbl 16
1. Pins
IDT70V24 are push pull, not open drain outputs. On slaves the
2. L if the inputs to the opposite port were stable prior to the address and enable inputs of this port. H if the inputs to the opposite port became stable after
the address and enable inputs of this port. If t
simultaneously.
3. Writes to the left port are internally ignored when
internally ignored when
R are both outputs when the part is configured as a master. Both are inputs when configured as a slave.
BUSY
(1)
BUSYBUSY
L
BUSY
BUSYBUSY
R outputs are driving low regardless of actual logic level on the pin.
(1)
BUSYBUSY
R
BUSY
BUSYBUSY
APS is not met, either
BUSY
Function
(3)
BUSY
input internally inhibits writes.
BUSY
L or
BUSY
R = Low will result.
L outputs are driving low regardless of actual logic level on the pin. Writes to the right port are
BUSY
L and
BUSY
outputs on the
BUSY
R outputs cannot be low
TRUTH TABLE V — EXAMPLE OF SEMAPHORE PROCUREMENT SEQUENCE
(1,2)
FunctionsD0 - D15 LeftD0 - D15 RightStatus
No Action11Semaphore free
Left Port Writes "0" to Semaphore01Left port has semaphore token
Right Port Writes "0" to Semaphore01No change. Right side has no write access to semaphore
Left Port Writes "1" to Semaphore10Right port obtains semaphore token
Left Port Writes "0" to Semaphore10No change. Left port has no write access to semaphore
Right Port Writes "1" to Semaphore01Left port obtains semaphore token
Left Port Writes "1" to Semaphore11Semaphore free
Right Port Writes "0" to Semaphore10Right port has semaphore token
Right Port Writes "1" to Semaphore11Semaphore free
Left Port Writes "0" to Semaphore01Right port has semaphore token
Left Port Writes "1" to Semaphore11Semaphore free
NOTES:2911 tbl 17
1. This table denotes a sequence of events for only one of the eight semaphores on the IDT70V24.
2. There are eight semaphore flags written to via I/O
0 and read from all I/O's (I/O0-I/O15). These eight semaphores are addressed by A0 - A2.
FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION
The IDT70V24 provides two ports with separate control,
address and I/O pins that permit independent access for reads
or writes to any location in memory. The IDT70V24 has an
automatic power down feature controlled by CE. The
controls on-chip power down circuitry that permits the
respective port to go into a standby mode when not selected
(CE High). When a port is enabled, access to the entire
memory array is permitted.
memory location FFF (HEX) and to clear the interrupt flag
R), the right port must read the memory location FFF. The
(
INT
message (16 bits) at FFE or FFF is user-defined, since it is an
CE
addressable SRAM location. If the interrupt function is not
used, address locations FFE and FFF are not used as mail
boxes, but as part of the random access memory. Refer to
Truth Table for the interrupt operation.
BUSY LOGIC
INTERRUPTS
If the user chooses to use the interrupt function, a memory
location (mail box or message center) is assigned to each port.
The left port interrupt flag (
writes to memory location FFE (HEX), where a write is defined
as the CE=R/W=VIL per the Truthe Table. The left port clears
the interrupt by accessing address location FFE when
CER=OE
interrupt flag (
R=VIL, R/
INT
W
R) is asserted when the left port writes to
INT
L) is asserted when the right port
is a "don't care". Likewise, the right port
Busy Logic provides a hardware indication that both ports
of the RAM have accessed the same location at the same
time. It also allows one of the two accesses to proceed and
signals the other side that the RAM is “Busy”. The busy pin can
then be used to stall the access until the operation on the other
side is completed. If a write operation has been attempted
from the side that receives a busy indication, the write signal
is gated internally to prevent the write from proceeding.
The use of busy logic is not required or desirable for all
6.3813
IDT70V24S/L
HIGH-SPEED 3.3V 4K x 16 DUAL-PORT STATIC RAMCOMMERCIAL TEMPERATURE RANGE
MASTER
CE
Dual Port
RAM
BUSY
L
BUSY
R
MASTER
CE
Dual Port
RAM
BUSY
L
BUSY
BUSY
L
Figure 3. Busy and chip enable routing for both width and depth expansion with IDT70V24 RAMs.
R
applications. In some cases it may be useful to logically OR
the busy outputs together and use any busy indication as an
interrupt source to flag the event of an illegal or illogical
operation. If the write inhibit function of busy logic is not
desirable, the busy logic can be disabled by placing the part
in slave mode with the M/S pin. Once in slave mode the
BUSY
pin operates solely as a write inhibit input pin. Normal operation can be programmed by tying the
BUSY
pins high. If
desired, unintended write operations can be prevented to a
port by tying the busy pin for that port low.
The busy outputs on the IDT 70V24 RAM in master mode,
are push-pull type outputs and do not require pull up resistors
to operate. If these RAMs are being expanded in depth, then
the busy indication for the resulting array requires the use of
an external AND gate.
WIDTH EXPANSION WITH BUSY LOGIC
MASTER/SLAVE ARRAYS
When expanding an IDT70V24 RAM array in width while
using busy logic, one master part is used to decide which side
of the RAM array will receive a busy indication, and to output
that indication. Any number of slaves to be addressed in the
same address range as the master, use the busy signal as a
write inhibit signal. Thus on the IDT70V24 RAM the busy pin
is an output if the part is used as a master (M/S pin = H), and
the busy pin is an input if the part used as a slave (M/S pin =
L) as shown in Figure 3.
If two or more master parts were used when expanding in
width, a split decision could result with one master indicating
busy on one side of the array and another master indicating
busy on one other side of the array. This would inhibit the write
operations from one port for part of a word and inhibit the write
operations from the other port for the other part of the word.
The busy arbitration, on a master, is based on the chip
enable and address signals only. It ignores whether an access
is a read or write. In a master/slave array, both address and
chip enable must be valid long enough for a busy flag to be
output from the master before the actual write pulse can be
initiated with either the R/W signal or the byte enables. Failure
SLAVE
CE
Dual Port
RAM
BUSY
L
SLAVE
BUSY
CE
R
DECODER
Dual Port
RAM
BUSY
BUSY
L
BUSY
R
R
2911 drw 18
to observe this timing can result in a glitched internal write
inhibit signal and corrupted data in the slave.
SEMAPHORES
The IDT70V24 is an extremely fast Dual-Port 4K x 16
CMOS Static RAM with an additional 8 address locations
dedicated to binary semaphore flags. These flags allow either
processor on the left or right side of the Dual-Port RAM to claim
a privilege over the other processor for functions defined by
the system designer’s software. As an example, the semaphore can be used by one processor to inhibit the other from
accessing a portion of the Dual-Port RAM or any other shared
resource.
The Dual-Port RAM features a fast access time, and both
ports are completely independent of each other. This means
that the activity on the left port in no way slows the access time
of the right port. Both ports are identical in function to standard
CMOS Static RAM and can be read from, or written to, at the
same time with the only possible conflict arising from the
simultaneous writing of, or a simultaneous READ/WRITE of,
a non-semaphore location. Semaphores are protected against
such ambiguous situations and may be used by the system
program to avoid any conflicts in the non-semaphore portion
of the Dual-Port RAM. These devices have an automatic
power-down feature controlled by CE, the Dual-Port RAM
enable, and
pins control on-chip power down circuitry that permits the
respective port to go into standby mode when not selected.
This is the condition which is shown in Truth Table where
and
SEM
Systems which can best use the IDT70V24 contain multiple processors or controllers and are typically very highspeed systems which are software controlled or software
intensive. These systems can benefit from a performance
increase offered by the IDT70V24's hardware semaphores,
which provide a lockout mechanism without requiring complex programming.
Software handshaking between processors offers the
maximum in system flexibility by permitting shared resources
to be allocated in varying configurations. The IDT70V24 does
SEM
, the semaphore enable. The CE and
are both high.
SEM
CE
6.3814
IDT70V24S/L
HIGH-SPEED 3.3V 4K x 16 DUAL-PORT STATIC RAMCOMMERCIAL TEMPERATURE RANGE
not use its semaphore flags to control any resources through
hardware, thus allowing the system designer total flexibility in
system architecture.
An advantage of using semaphores rather than the more
common methods of hardware arbitration is that wait states
are never incurred in either processor. This can prove to be
a major advantage in very high-speed systems.
HOW THE SEMAPHORE FLAGS WORK
The semaphore logic is a set of eight latches which are
independent of the Dual-Port RAM. These latches can be
used to pass a flag, or token, from one port to the other to
indicate that a shared resource is in use. The semaphores
provide a hardware assist for a use assignment method called
“Token Passing Allocation.” In this method, the state of a
semaphore latch is used as a token indicating that shared
resource is in use. If the left processor wants to use this
resource, it requests the token by setting the latch. This
processor then verifies its success in setting the latch by
reading it. If it was successful, it proceeds to assume control
over the shared resource. If it was not successful in setting the
latch, it determines that the right side processor has set the
latch first, has the token and is using the shared resource. The
left processor can then either repeatedly request that
semaphore’s status or remove its request for that semaphore
to perform another task and occasionally attempt again to
gain control of the token via the set and test sequence. Once
the right side has relinquished the token, the left side should
succeed in gaining control.
The semaphore flags are active low. A token is requested
by writing a zero into a semaphore latch and is released when
the same side writes a one to that latch.
The eight semaphore flags reside within the IDT70V24 in
a separate memory space from the Dual-Port RAM. This
address space is accessed by placing a low input on the
pin (which acts as a chip select for the semaphore flags) and
using the other control pins (Address, OE, and R/W) as they
would be used in accessing a standard Static RAM. Each of
the flags has a unique address which can be accessed by
either side through address pins A0 – A2. When accessing the
semaphores, none of the other address pins has any effect.
When writing to a semaphore, only data pin D0 is used. If
a low level is written into an unused semaphore location, that
flag will be set to a zero on that side and a one on the other side
(see Table III). That semaphore can now only be modified by
the side showing the zero. When a one is written into the same
location from the same side, the flag will be set to a one for both
sides (unless a semaphore request from the other side is
pending) and then can be written to by both sides. The fact that
the side which is able to write a zero into a semaphore
subsequently locks out writes from the other side is what
makes semaphore flags useful in interprocessor communications. (A thorough discussing on the use of this feature follows
shortly.) A zero written into the same location from the other
side will be stored in the semaphore request latch for that side
until the semaphore is freed by the first side.
When a semaphore flag is read, its value is spread into all
SEM
data bits so that a flag that is a one reads as a one in all data
bits and a flag containing a zero reads as all zeros. The read
value is latched into one side’s output register when that side's
semaphore select (
SEM
) and output enable (OE) signals go
active. This serves to disallow the semaphore from changing
state in the middle of a read cycle due to a write cycle from the
other side. Because of this latch, a repeated read of a
semaphore in a test loop must cause either signal (
SEM
or OE)
to go inactive or the output will never change.
A sequence WRITE/READ must be used by the semaphore in order to guarantee that no system level contention
will occur. A processor requests access to shared resources
by attempting to write a zero into a semaphore location. If the
semaphore is already in use, the semaphore request latch will
contain a zero, yet the semaphore flag will appear as one, a
fact which the processor will verify by the subsequent read
(see Table III). As an example, assume a processor writes a
zero to the left port at a free semaphore location. On a
subsequent read, the processor will verify that it has written
successfully to that location and will assume control over the
resource in question. Meanwhile, if a processor on the right
side attempts to write a zero to the same semaphore flag it will
fail, as will be verified by the fact that a one will be read from
that semaphore on the right side during subsequent read.
Had a sequence of READ/WRITE been used instead, system
contention problems could have occurred during the gap
between the read and write cycles.
It is important to note that a failed semaphore request must
be followed by either repeated reads or by writing a one into
the same location. The reason for this is easily understood by
looking at the simple logic diagram of the semaphore flag in
Figure 4. Two semaphore request latches feed into a semaphore flag. Whichever latch is first to present a zero to the
semaphore flag will force its side of the semaphore flag low
and the other side high. This condition will continue until a one
is written to the same semaphore request latch. Should the
other side’s semaphore request latch have been written to a
zero in the meantime, the semaphore flag will flip over to the
other side as soon as a one is written into the first side’s
request latch. The second side’s flag will now stay low until its
semaphore request latch is written to a one. From this it is
easy to understand that, if a semaphore is requested and the
processor which requested it no longer needs the resource,
the entire system can hang up until a one is written into that
semaphore request latch.
The critical case of semaphore timing is when both sides
request a single token by attempting to write a zero into it at
the same time. The semaphore logic is specially designed to
resolve this problem. If simultaneous requests are made, the
logic guarantees that only one side receives the token. If one
side is earlier than the other in making the request, the first
side to make the request will receive the token. If both
requests arrive at the same time, the assignment will be
arbitrarily made to one port or the other.
One caution that should be noted when using semaphores
is that semaphores alone do not guarantee that access to a
resource is secure. As with any powerful programming tech-
6.3815
IDT70V24S/L
HIGH-SPEED 3.3V 4K x 16 DUAL-PORT STATIC RAMCOMMERCIAL TEMPERATURE RANGE
nique, if semaphores are misused or misinterpreted, a software error can easily happen.
Initialization of the semaphores is not automatic and must
be handled via the initialization program at power-up. Since
any semaphore request flag which contains a zero must be
reset to a one, all semaphores on both sides should have a
one written into them at initialization from both sides to assure
that they will be free when needed.
USING SEMAPHORES—SOME EXAMPLES
Perhaps the simplest application of semaphores is their
application as resource markers for the IDT70V24’s Dual-Port
RAM. Say the 4K x 16 RAM was to be divided into two 2K x
16 blocks which were to be dedicated at any one time to
servicing either the left or right port. Semaphore 0 could be
used to indicate the side which would control the lower section
of memory, and Semaphore 1 could be defined as the
indicator for the upper section of memory.
To take a resource, in this example the lower 2K of
Dual-Port RAM, the processor on the left port could write and
then read a zero in to Semaphore 0. If this task were successfully completed (a zero was read back rather than a one), the
left processor would assume control of the lower 2K. Meanwhile the right processor was attempting to gain control of the
resource after the left processor, it would read back a one in
response to the zero it had attempted to write into Semaphore
0. At this point, the software could choose to try and gain
control of the second 2K section by writing, then reading a zero
into Semaphore 1. If it succeeded in gaining control, it would
lock out the left side.
Once the left side was finished with its task, it would write
a one to Semaphore 0 and may then try to gain access to
Semaphore 1. If Semaphore 1 was still occupied by the right
side, the left side could undo its semaphore request and
perform other tasks until it was able to write, then read a zero
into Semaphore 1. If the right processor performs a similar
task with Semaphore 0, this protocol would allow the two
processors to swap 2K blocks of Dual-Port RAM with each
other.
The blocks do not have to be any particular size and can
even be variable, depending upon the complexity of the
software using the semaphore flags. All eight semaphores
could be used to divide the Dual-Port RAM or other shared
resources into eight parts. Semaphores can even be assigned
different meanings on different sides rather than being given
a common meaning as was shown in the example above.
Semaphores are a useful form of arbitration in systems like
disk interfaces where the CPU must be locked out of a section
of memory during a transfer and the I/O device cannot tolerate
any wait states. With the use of semaphores, once the two
devices has determined which memory area was “off-limits” to
the CPU, both the CPU and the I/O devices could access their
assigned portions of memory continuously without any wait
states.
Semaphores are also useful in applications where no
memory “WAIT” state is available on one or both sides. Once
a semaphore handshake has been performed, both processors can access their assigned RAM segments at full speed.
Another application is in the area of complex data structures. In this case, block arbitration is very important. For this
application one processor may be responsible for building and
updating a data structure. The other processor then reads
and interprets that data structure. If the interpreting processor
reads an incomplete data structure, a major error condition
may exist. Therefore, some sort of arbitration must be used
between the two different processors. The building processor
arbitrates for the block, locks it and then is able to go in and
update the data structure. When the update is completed, the
data structure block is released. This allows the interpreting
processor to come back and read the complete data structure,
thereby guaranteeing a consistent data structure.
L PORT
SEMAPHORE
REQUEST FLIP FLOP
D
0
D
WRITE
SEMAPHORE
READ
SEMAPHORE
REQUEST FLIP FLOP
Q
Figure 4. IDT70V24 Semaphore Logic
6.3816
Q
R PORT
D
D
0
WRITE
SEMAPHORE
READ
2911 drw 19
IDT70V24S/L
HIGH-SPEED 3.3V 4K x 16 DUAL-PORT STATIC RAMCOMMERCIAL TEMPERATURE RANGE