Method and apparatus for arbitrating conflicts by monitoring number of access requests per unit of time in multiport memory systems

DETAILED DESCRIPTION What we claim is: 1.
A method for arbitrating conflicting memory transfer requests in a multiport memory system including first and second memory ports, said method comprising the steps of: monitoring a volume of memory transfer requests from said first memory port; partially disabling said second memory port if said volume is greater than a first predetermined volume; and reenabling said second memory port when said volume of memory transfer requests becomes less than a second predetermined volume, said second predetermined volume being less than said first predetermined volume.
2.
The method of claim 1, wherein said monitoring step comprises the steps of: waiting for a predetermined period of time after completion of a memory transfer to detect subsequent memory transfer requests by said first memory port; determining that said volume of memory transfer requests is less than said second predetermined volume if no subsequent memory transfer request is detected within said predetermined period of time; counting consecutive said subsequent memory transfer requests by said first memory port detected within said predetermined period of time after completion of a preceding memory transfer; and determining that said volume of memory transfer requests exceeds said first predetermined volume, if the count exceeds a predetermined number m.
3.
The method of claim 2, wherein said predetermined number m is changed under user control.
4.
The method of claim 2, wherein said predetermined number m is 16.
5.
The method of claim 2, wherein said partially disabling step comprises the steps of: counting consecutive memory transfer requests granted to said first memory port; and granting one memory transfer request to said second memory port if the memory transfer requests granted to said first memory port exceed a predetermined number n.
6.
The method of claim 5, wherein said predetermined number n is changed under user control.
7.
The method of claim 5, wherein said predetermined number n equals 256