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13.1. Core Overview
In a multiprocessor design, each processor may be dedicated to perform a specific task. Communication between processors becomes crucial if the tasks of each individual processor are interdependent. Communication between processors may involve data passing or task control coordination to accomplish certain functions.
The Intel FPGA Avalon® Mailbox component provides the medium of communication between processors. It provides a “message” passing location between the sending processor and receiving processor. The receiving processor is notified upon a message arrival. The notification can be in the form of an interrupt issuing to the receiving processor or it can continue polling for new messages by the receiving processor.
If more than two processors require “message” passing, multiple Mailboxes can be instantiated between the two processors. Each Intel FPGA Avalon® Mailbox corresponds to one direction message passing.