摘要:
A method and apparatus are provided for improving the rate at which macroinstructions are transformed into corresponding microinstructions. Encoding is added to a microcode storage device. The encoding indicates that a microinstruction flow will end in a determined number of cycles. The number of cycles is determined by the number of canceled instructions in a processing pipeline that would be introduced if no flow length prediction was used. For flow lengths less than a determined number of cycles, a hint bit is used in an entry point structure. For flow lengths greater than a determined length, a hint bit is encoded at a third line from an end of the microinstruction flow. Using this method, flows of any length can be hinted. Furthermore, flows that do not originate from the entry point structure can also be hinted. The method reduces the number of hint bits that are needed in the entry point structure and provides for better prediction.
摘要:
A method and an apparatus checks the fine-grain correctness of a microcode machine central processor unit (CPU) behavioral model. Macroinstructions are decomposed into microinstructions and each microinstruction is executed sequentially. A sequence of microinstructions is determined by an emulated microinstruction sequencer, using dynamic execution information, including information from execution of prior microinstructions in the sequence of microinstructions. At the end of execution of each microinstruction, a reference state is compared to a corresponding state of the behavioral model, and any differences are noted. After execution of all microinstructions in the microinstruction sequence, a reference state is compared to a corresponding state of the behavioral model, and any differences are noted.
摘要:
An apparatus verifies the correctness of a behavioral model of a microcode machine, where the microcode machine is operable in a native state and an emulated state. The apparatus includes means for producing the native state, means for producing the emulated state, and means for comparing the native state and the emulated state. Corresponding to the apparatus, a method verifies the correctness of a processor behavioral model, where the processor operates in a native mode state and an emulated mode state. The method includes determining if a macroinstruction to be executed is a native instruction, and, if the macroinstruction is a native instruction, executing the native instruction, the execution producing the native mode state of the processor. The method further includes, if the macroinstruction is not a native instruction, fetching the macroinstruction, providing microinstructions corresponding to the macroinstruction, and executing the microinstructions, the execution producing the native mode state of the processor. Finally, the method includes executing the macroinstruction, the execution producing an emulated state of the processor, and comparing the native mode state the of the processor with the emulated state of the processor.
摘要:
Method for decoding inputs in a programmable state machine, including the following steps: bit-wise comparing state machine inputs with select information to produce bit-wise comparison results; determining the logical AND of the bit-wise comparison results; and determining the logical EXCLUSIVE OR of a negate indicator and the logical AND. In a further embodiment, a step of bit-wise ORing the comparison results with mask information is performed before the logical AND step. Circuitry for implementing the method: A bit-wise comparator has two sets of inputs. Its first set of inputs is coupled to state machine input signals. Its second set of inputs is coupled to select information. It is operable to produce bit-wise comparator outputs that indicate the results of bit-wise comparing the state machine input signals with the select information. AND circuitry has an AND circuitry output to indicate the logical AND of the comparator outputs. An EXCLUSIVE OR gate has its first input coupled to the AND circuitry output and has its second input coupled to a negate indicator. The output of the EXCLUSIVE OR gate constitutes the output of the inventive input comparison circuitry. In further embodiments, bit-wise OR circuitry may be interposed between the comparator and the AND circuitry. Such bit-wise OR circuitry may be used for masking by coupling its first set of inputs to the comparator outputs and coupling its second set of inputs to mask information. In the latter embodiment, the bit-wise results of the OR circuitry are ANDed by the AND circuitry.
摘要:
In one embodiment, the invention includes a method of tracking events in a microprocessor that can retire more than one instruction during a clock cycle. A set of match results is generated during each clock cycle, one match result for each retiring instruction. Each of the match results indicates whether the corresponding retiring instruction matched a criterion. Then, the total number of retiring instruction that matched the criterion is determined by adding the asserted match results to generate a sum. A counter is incremented by the sum. In another embodiment, the invention includes circuitry for implementing the just-described method. Match generator circuitry is provided for generating a set of match results during each clock cycle, one match result for each retiring instruction. The outputs of the match generator circuitry are supplied to adder circuitry. The adder circuitry is operable to determine the number of said match results that are asserted and to represent the number as a sum via a set of adder circuitry outputs. A counter having a set of adder circuitry inputs is coupled to adder circuitry outputs. The counter is operable to increment its count by the sum represented by the adder circuitry outputs. In further embodiments, a multiplexer is interposed between the adder circuitry and the counter. The multiplexer has a first set of inputs coupled to the adder circuitry outputs, and a second set of inputs coupled to a source of the value "1." The multiplexer is operable to present either the first or second inputs on its outputs responsive to a select signal. The multiplexer has its outputs coupled to the increment inputs of the counter.
摘要:
Each card slot in a computer system receives a different ordering of address lines than each of the other card slots so that the ordering of the address lines at each card slot is indicative of its physical address relative to the other card slots. Means responsive to codes provided on at least selected ones of the address lines for establishing the hard and soft physical addresses of cards to be inserted into the slots may be provided.
摘要:
A method and apparatus to improve memory performance in a computer bus system. Memory is divided into interleaved blocks and memory addresses are mapped into block identification numbers. Master devices keep track of which parts of memory are busy by storing memory block identification numbers in local queues whenever memory is accessed. Block identification numbers are removed from local queues when the memory transaction is complete. Master devices arbitrate for access to the bus for memory transactions only if the target memory block identification number is not in the local queue.
摘要:
Method for efficiently and flexibly comparing a group of multi-bit binary fields with a multi-bit expected pattern to generate a set of final match results, one final match result for each binary field in the group. Sets of of bit-wise comparator results are generated, one set for each binary field, by comparing each binary field with the expected pattern. Then, sets of bit-wise mask results are generated for each binary field by bit-wise masking each set of bit-wise comparator results with a mask pattern. Then, a set of preliminary match results is generated. Each preliminary match result is equal to the logical AND of all bits making up the bit-wise mask result set for the corresponding binary field. Then, a set of secondary match results is generated by negating all of the preliminary match results if a negate indicator is asserted. Finally, a set of final match results is generated, one final match result for each binary field, by individually gating all of the secondary match results with a separate enable indicator for each binary field. The invention includes an M.times.N comparator matrix for accomplishing the just-described method. The invention also includes circuitry for comparing N binary fields with an expected pattern to generate N comparison results.
摘要:
User-configurable diagnostic hardware contained on-chip with a microprocessor for the purpose of debugging and monitoring the performance of the microprocessor. Method for using the same. A programmable state machine is coupled to on-chip and off-chip input sources. The state machine may be programmed to look for signal patterns presented by the input sources, and to respond to the occurrence of a defined pattern (or sequence of defined patterns) by driving certain control information onto a state machine output bus. On-chip devices coupled to the output bus take user-definable actions as dictated by the bus. The input sources include user-configurable comparators located within the functional blocks of the microprocessor. The comparators are coupled to storage elements within the microprocessor, and are configured to monitor nodes to determine whether the state of the nodes matches the data contained in the storage elements. By changing data in the storage elements, the programmer may change the information against which the state of the nodes is compared and also the method by which the comparison is made. The output devices include counters. Counter outputs may be used as state machine inputs, so one event may be defined as a function of a different event having occurred a certain number of times. The output devices also include circuitry for generating internal and external triggers. User-configurable multiplexer circuitry may be used to route user-selectable signals from within the microprocessor to the chip's output pads, and to select various internal signals to be used as state machine inputs.
摘要:
A method and circuitry for controlling priority of devices contending for access to a data communications link. Each device capable of contending for access contains a priority register which indicates the relative priority of every device capable of contending for access. After gaining access to the link, a device may optionally signal to all devices to update priority. When priority is updated, the device signaling priority update is moved to lowest priority. Inhibiting the signal to update priority permits a device to maintain priority. Systems using the method may be configured with a fair arbitration protocol (least recently accessed has highest priority), with fixed priority protocol, or with priority protocols that can be modified in real time.