摘要:
A central processor-coprocessor assembly comprising an assembler software tool for extending the base central processor tasks into at least one coprocessor. What is important is that the assembler software tool does not need to be rebuilt when changes are made to the coprocessor elements. The invention allows assembly time extension of a base core language processing (CLP) programming model, without the need to rebuild the assembler tool itself. The assembler tool comprises a set of commands which enable the central processor to manipulate the coprocessor registers, and a coprocessor execute instruction, which initiates command processing on the coprocessor. The present invention simplifies the maintenance of the assembler tool through multiple hardware revisions by enabling hardware designers to update their coprocessor definition files to reflect new or modified coprocessors.
摘要:
A control mechanism is established between a network processor and a tree search coprocessor to deal with latencies in accessing the data such as information formatted in a tree structure. A plurality of independent instruction execution threads are queued to enable them to have rapid access to the shared memory. If execution of a thread becomes stalled due to a latency event, full control is granted to the next thread in the queue. The grant of control is temporary when a short latency event occurs or full when a long latency event occurs. Control is returned to the original thread when a short latency event is completed. Each execution thread utilizes an instruction prefetch buffer that collects instructions for idle execution threads when the instruction bandwidth is not fully utilized by an active execution thread. The thread execution control is governed by the collective functioning of a FIFO, an arbiter and a thread control state machine.
摘要:
An ordered semaphore management subsystem and method for use in an application system which includes a plurality of processors competing for shared resources each of which is controlled by a unique semaphore. The subsystem generates an ordered semaphore field (OSF) corresponding to each processor in a linked list of processors and assigns one of four statuses to the OSF depending on the position the processor occupies in the linked list of processors competing for the shared resources. The four states are (1) semaphore head (SH); (2) behind semaphore head (BSH); (3) semaphore head behind (SHB); and (4) skip (Skip). Only the SH processor is allocated the semaphore when requested. A processor not in the SH state will be denied the semaphore even if is available to assure sequential access.
摘要:
A mechanism controls a multi-thread processor so that when a fist thread encounters a latency event to a first predefined time interval temporary control is transferred to an alternate execution thread for duration of the first predefined time interval and then back to the original thread. The mechanism grants full control to the alternate execution thread when a latency event for a second predefined time interval is encountered. The first predefined time interval is termed short latency event whereas the second time interval is termed long latency event.
摘要:
Methods systems and computer program products are provided for hashing address values that exhibit banding in a plurality of regions of an address space defined by at least two segments of the address values, by performing at least one of a translation and a rotation of the at least two segments to thereby map the at least two segments from the plurality of regions to one of the plurality of regions.
摘要:
In an ordered semaphore management system a pending state allows threads not competing for a locked semaphore to bypass one or more threads waiting for the same locked semaphore. The number of pending levels determines the number of consecutive threads vying for the same locked semaphore which can be bypassed. When more than one level is provided the pending levels are prioritized in the queued order.
摘要:
A generic method and apparatus for managing semaphores in a multi-threaded processing system has a storage area for each of the threads in the processing system. Each storage area includes a first part for storing at least one indicia for identifying at least one unique semaphore from a plurality of semaphores utilized by the multi-threaded processing system and a second part for storing an indicia for indicating a locked status for the stored semaphore. A thread requiring a semaphore sends a semaphore lock request to the semaphore manager which examines the contents of all of the storage areas to determine the status of the requested semaphore. If the requested semaphore is not locked, it is locked for the requesting thread by inserting the requested semaphore and locked status in the memory location assigned to the requesting thread.
摘要:
In an ordered semaphore management system a pending state allows threads not competing for a locked semaphore to bypass one or more threads waiting for the same locked semaphore. The number of pending levels determines the number of consecutive threads vying for the same locked semaphore which can be bypassed. When more than one level is provided the pending levels are prioritized in the queued order.
摘要:
Processor threads in a multi-processor system can concurrently lock multiple semaphores by providing a lock command which includes the semaphore value and a semaphore number. Each processor is allocated two or more addressable semaphore stores, each of which include a multi-bit field identifying the requested semaphore and a one bit field identifying the locked status of the requested semaphore. The semaphore number determines which of the allocated semaphore stores are to be used for processing the lock command.