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Bus Arbitration

Bus Arbitration is a mechanism for managing access to a shared bus in computer architecture, ensuring fairness, efficiency, and deadlock prevention. It can be centralized, where a single arbiter controls access, or distributed, where multiple devices participate in the arbitration process. Various methods exist within these categories, including daisy chain, polling, independent request, token-based, and priority-based arbitration, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

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37 views

Bus Arbitration

Bus Arbitration is a mechanism for managing access to a shared bus in computer architecture, ensuring fairness, efficiency, and deadlock prevention. It can be centralized, where a single arbiter controls access, or distributed, where multiple devices participate in the arbitration process. Various methods exist within these categories, including daisy chain, polling, independent request, token-based, and priority-based arbitration, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

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Lecture Notes: Bus Arbitration in Computer Architecture

1. Introduction to Bus Arbitration

Bus Arbitration is the mechanism used to manage access to a shared bus when multiple
devices or components request to use it simultaneously. Since a bus is a shared resource,
arbitration is necessary to determine which device gets control of the bus at any given time.

Objectives of Bus Arbitration:

 Fairness: Ensure all devices have an opportunity to use the bus.


 Efficiency: Maximize the utilization of the bus while minimizing wait times.
 Deadlock Prevention: Avoid situations where no device can gain control of the bus.

2. Types of Bus Arbitration

Bus arbitration can be categorized based on how the arbitration is handled:

2.1 Centralized Arbitration

Centralized Arbitration involves a single central arbiter that controls access to the bus. This
arbiter is responsible for deciding which device gets to use the bus based on requests from all
devices.

Key Components:

 Arbiter: Centralized control unit that decides bus access.


 Request Lines: Lines used by devices to request access to the bus.
 Grant Lines: Lines used by the arbiter to grant bus access to a device.

Advantages:

 Simple Implementation: Easier to manage and control from a central point.


 Predictable Performance: Easier to ensure fair access.

Disadvantages:

 Single Point of Failure: If the arbiter fails, the entire system is affected.
 Scalability Issues: May become a bottleneck as the number of devices increases.

Example:

 IBM PC/AT Architecture: Uses a centralized arbiter to manage bus requests.

Methods of Centralized BUS Arbitration:


There are three bus arbitration methods:
1) Daisy chain method:-
 All bus master use the same line for bus request.
 If the bus busy line is inactive, the bus controller gives the bus grant signal.
 Bus grant signal is propagated serially through all masters starting from nearest one.
 The bus master which requires system bus, stops this signal, activates the bus busy
line and takes control of system bus.
o Advantages:
a) Simple design
b) Less no. of control lines.
o Disadvantages:
a) Priority depends on the physical location of master.
b) Propagation delay due to serially granting of bus.
c) Failure of one of the devices may fail entire system.
2) Polling Method:-

 Here all bus masters use the same line for bus request.
 Here controller generate binary address for the master. (To connect 8 bus master we
need 3 address lines 2^3 = 8).
 In response to a bus request, the controller “polls” the bus masters by sending a
sequence of bus master address on address lines.
 When requesting master recognizes its address, it activates the bus busylines and
takes control of the bus.
Advantage:
a) Priority flexible.
b) One module fails, entire system does not fail.
Disadvantage:
a) Adding bus masters is different as increases the number of address lines of the
circuit.
3) Independent request method:-

 All bus masters have their individual bus request and bus grant lines.
 The controller thus knows which master has requested, so bus is granted t that master.
 Priorities of the masters are predefined so on simultaneous bus requests, the bus is
granted based on the priority, provided the bus busy line is not active.
 The controller consists of encoder and decoder logic for priorities.
Advantages:
a) Bus arbitration is fast.
b) Speed independent of no. of devices connected.
Disadvantages:
a) No. of control lines required is more. Hence connecting a large number of bus
masters is difficult.
Distributed Arbitration

Distributed Arbitration is a method where the responsibility for managing bus access is
distributed among the devices or nodes on the bus rather than being controlled by a single
central arbiter. This approach contrasts with centralized arbitration, where a single arbiter
controls bus access.

1. Overview of Distributed Arbitration

Distributed Arbitration is used to enhance scalability and fault tolerance in systems where
multiple devices need to share a common bus. Instead of relying on a central unit to grant
access, each device participates in the arbitration process.

Key Features:

 Decentralization: No single device or unit controls the entire arbitration process.


 Multi-Master Capability: Multiple devices can act as bus masters and participate in
arbitration.
 Fault Tolerance: The system is less vulnerable to failures since no single component
controls access.

2. Arbitration Methods

Distributed arbitration methods vary based on the protocol and system requirements. Here are
common approaches:

2.1 Token-Based Arbitration

In Token-Based Arbitration, a unique token circulates among the devices. Only the device
holding the token can access the bus.

Process:

 Token Passing: The token is passed from one device to another in a predefined order.
 Bus Access: Only the device with the token can access the bus.

Advantages:

 Simple Management: Only one device can access the bus at a time, reducing
conflicts.
 Fairness: Ensures each device gets a turn to access the bus.

Disadvantages:

 Token Loss: If the token is lost or corrupted, the system can become inoperative until
the token is restored.
 Overhead: Passing the token adds communication overhead.
Example:

 Token Ring Networks: Use token-based arbitration to manage network access.

2.2 Arbitration by Priority

In Arbitration by Priority, devices are assigned priorities, and access is granted based on
these priorities. Devices with higher priorities are given access before those with lower
priorities.

Process:

 Priority Assignment: Each device is assigned a priority level.


 Request and Grant: Devices request access, and the device with the highest priority
that is requesting access gets the bus.

Advantages:

 Predictable Access: Devices with higher priorities get quicker access.


 Efficient in Systems with Differentiated Priorities: Useful when certain devices
have more critical access needs.

Disadvantages:

 Starvation: Lower-priority devices might experience delays if high-priority devices


frequently request access.
 Complex Management: Managing priorities and ensuring fairness can be complex.

Example:

 IEEE 802.5 (Token Bus): Uses priority-based arbitration in some implementations.

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