MCA Data Transfers

Basic Data Transfers
   Basic
   Matched Memory
   Matched Memory w/o Wait
Streaming Data Transfers
   32-bit or 16-bit Streaming
   64-bit Streaming
   64-bit Streaming w/50 ns Cycle


Basic Data Transfer Cycle

The basic transfer cycle works by first defining the address (in memory or I/O space) where a transfer is to occur, and then, in a second operation of equal length actually transferring the data. Each half of the operation (defining the address and data transfer) takes 100 ns, or 200 ns total.

This process is repeated until the entire block of data has been transferred. Micro Channel - Basic Data Transfer (20 MBps) shows basic data transfer in operation. Basic data transfer on the Micro Channel runs at 20 MBps (each cycle takes 200 nanoseconds, and 32 bits or 4 bytes of data are transferred at a time).

Five such "default" cycles can be performed in a millionth of a second. Each cycle moves four or two bytes per transfer, yielding a data transfer rate of 20 MB/sec for 32-bit (4 byte) transfers or 10 MB/s for 16-bit (2 byte) transfers.

Basic Data Transfer - 20 MB/sec for 32-bit transfers or 10 MB/s for 16-bit transfers:

Matched Memory Cycle

MMC's basic transfer cycle works by first defining the address (in memory or I/O space) where a transfer is to occur, inserting a wait state, and then actually transferring the data. Each third of the operation (defining the address, wait, and and data transfer) takes 62.5 ns, or 187.5 ns total.

Five and a third MM cycles can be completed in a millionth of a second. Each cycle moves four or two bytes per transfer, yielding a data transfer rate of 21.33 MB/sec for 32-bit (4 byte) transfers or 10.66 MB/sec for 16-bit (2 byte) transfers.

Matched Memory Cycle:

This transfer cycle is used when the memory on a Matched-Memory adapter is not fast enough to operate in a system with zero wait states. Though this looks really slow, it results in a transfer rate slightly above 20 MB/s.

Matched Memory cycle without Wait State

Total cycle time is 125 ns and for 32-bit transfers this results in a data transfer rate of 32 MB/sec. Note: that the 16 MHz 8580 supports 62.5 ns address and data transfer cycles.

Matched Memory cycle without Wait State:


Streaming-Data Transfers

In Sep 1989, IBM announced three new procedures for higher data transfer rates - 40 MB/s, 80 MB/s, and 160 MB/s. The 80 MB/sec streaming-data rate can be obtained with existing hardware (as of 1991!). Streaming data is only effective for applications that transfer large amounts of sequentially arranged data.

However, in many cases, blocks transferred to and from memory are stored in sequential addresses, so repeatedly sending the address for each 4 bytes is unnecessary. With data streaming transfer the initial address is sent, then the blocks of data are sent and it is then assumed that the data requests are sequential. Micro Channel - Data Streaming Transfer (40 MBps) shows 40 MBps data streaming in operation.

The actual data transfer rate achieved is a function of the total burst (packet) length, where the overhead (arbitration process and the address designation of the burst) is "amortized" over a large amount of data. Applications that can benefit include high speed LAN adapters (FDDI), storage devices (SCSI adapters, DASD), and channel-attached memory (memory cards).

Note: 80 and 160 MB/sec streaming is only available on machines / adapters that have dual-path bus capabilities. Both adapters / devices must support streaming.

32-bit or 16-bit Streaming

This is a refinement of the basic cycle. The data transfer is still preceded by the address, but the address is designated at the beginning of the transfer and incremented based on the number of bytes of information to be transferred.

This reduces the cycle time to 100 ns and results in an instantaneous data rate of 40 MB/sec for 32-bit transfers and 20 MB/sec for 16-bit transfers for sequentially ordered data. Note: the Address bus has nothing to do after the initial address. The 40 MB/sec rate is available on single path systems.

32-bit or 16-bit Streaming - up to 40 MB/sec for 32-bit or 20 MB/s for 16-bit transfers:

64-bit Streaming

The address bus is used at the start of the data transfer for the address but then is used to transfer data, resulting in a 64-bit data path. Transfer rates of 80 MB/s can be achieved for sequentially ordered data. The 80 MB/s data rate should be attainable with existing hardware. Note that a dual-path system is required. The Type 3 and 4 complexes have the enhanced dual path memory buses.

64-bit Streaming - up to 80 MB/sec:

64-bit Streaming with 50 ns cycle

The address bus is used at the start of the data transfer for the address but then is used to transfer data, resulting in a 64-bit data path. The cycle time has been reduced to 50 ns. There is only a 64-bit form of this transfer.

It can support 160 MB/sec for sequentially ordered data. The 160 MB/sec may require new signal drivers and recievers. (The Streaming-capable adapters may have it already, like the Fast/Wide, FDDI, FW RAID...). A dual-path system is required.

64-bit Streaming with 50 ns cycle - up to 160 MB/sec:

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Louis F. Ohland, Peter H. Wendt, David L. Beem, William R. Walsh, Tatsuo Sunagawa, Tomáš Slavotínek, Jim Shorney, Tim N. Clarke, Kevin Bowling, and many others.

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