THE PROGRAMMABLE PROTOCOL VLSI ENGINE (PROVE)

The protocol VLSI engine (PROVE) is a programmable VLSI chipset which can be used to implement several standard communication protocols. The protocol to be implemented is described in a formal specification language called the augmented protocol specification language (APSL). From these formal descriptions, a compiler generates microcode for PROVE. PROVE can process 50000 packets/s for standard protocols such as LAPD and LLC Class 2. It consists of a message parser (MP), message assembler (MA), central controller unit (CCU), and interface with the upper layer. It supports efficient multiplexing operation with zero-overhead context-switching and support for timer maintenance. This paper describes the architectural features of the CCU, the MP, and the MA. A typical protocol implementation using the PROVE chipset is also described. We also compare it with other recent proposals for protocol engines. The first generation of the PROVE chipset has been built and tested.