Embedded protocol processor for fast and efficient packet reception

Abstract

Computer network equipment presents a bottleneck for further increasing the capacity in the networks. Terminals have problems keeping up with network speed when using general purpose processors for protocol processing. We present a novel processor architecture, that works in-line with the data flow and does not use a traditional von Neuman architecture. The program is contained in three lookup tables within the processor core, which allows for one cycle if-then-else and switch-case-case... execution. The processor is estimated to be able to handle a 10 Gb/s Ethernet connection when implemented in 0.18 micron technology.