Electrical computers and digital processing systems: processing – Processing architecture – Microprocessor or multichip or multimodule processor having...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-17
2001-09-11
Follansbee, John A. (Department: 2183)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: processing
Processing architecture
Microprocessor or multichip or multimodule processor having...
C712S001000, C712S026000, C711S001000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06289435
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to audio effects processors and more particularly to procedures for more effectively utilizing the resources of the processor.
Advances in semiconductor technology have made possible the inclusion of large numbers of general purpose registers in processors. However, software developers continue to push the limits of the performance of even most advanced processors and the demand for access to GPRs frequently exceeds the supply.
Accordingly, techniques for managing GPRs and other processor resources are continually being improved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention, a procedure for reusing special purpose registers as general purpose registers provides software developers with increased GPR resources without modifying the architecture of the processor.
According to another aspect of the invention, the processor includes special purpose registers that store a predetermined number of bits, which is less than the number of bits stored in the GPRs. Developers declare a special GPR variable type for words that may be stored as the predetermined number of bits.
According to another aspect of the invention, a loader program maintains a resource manager indicating the availability of GPRs and special purpose registers. Variables declared as the special GPR variable type may be stored in either in an available GPR, or if enough GPRs are not available, in an available special register.
According to another aspect of the invention, variables declared as the special GPR type are always stored in available special purpose registers.
According to another aspect of the invention, a processor includes an on-chip internal tank RAM (ITRAM) and a set of ITRAM data buffers and ITRAM address buffers. During operation of the processor, some of these buffers will be in the OFF state (not used). Variables stored in ITRAM data and address buffers is persistent (not changed) during the off state. The ITRAM data and address buffers are used by the loader program to store variables declared as the special GPR type.
According to another aspect of the invention, the software developer may declare the use of a variable instead of by its size. The loader determines whether the variable must be stored in a GPR or may be stored in an available special purpose register.
Additional advantages and features of the invention will be apparent in view of the following detailed description and appended drawings.
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Dicker Sam
Hoge Steven
Lange Eric W.
Vu Vince
Creative Technology Ltd.
Follansbee John A.
Nguyen Dzung C.
Townsend and Townsend / and Crew LLP
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