Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support – Reconfiguration
Reexamination Certificate
2000-12-28
2004-07-20
Lee, Thomas (Department: 2116)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support
Reconfiguration
C712S015000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06766449
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a processor system. It particularly relates to a method and apparatus for providing a dynamic change of processor configuration during operation of the processor system.
2. Background
A common method for disabling a feature or reducing its role in a microprocessor system is to establish this “defeaturing” configuration during reset of the system, and then starting up the system in that particular setup. However, such a method only allows change of processor configuration during these inactive (“static”) periods that require complete system shutdown and then reboot. This limiting methodology, requiring a cold system reboot, therefore suffers a severe performance penalty. Therefore, there is a need to allow change of processor configuration during operation (“mid-stream”) without such a performance penalty and without substantially degrading processor operation including limiting any impact to instruction processing by the system. Additionally, change of processor configuration (without requiring a variation in frequency) allows for improved product differentiation in a commercial processor system.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5537656 (1996-07-01), Mozdzen et al.
patent: 5943242 (1999-08-01), Vorbach et al.
patent: 6205537 (2001-03-01), Albonesi
Agrawal Meera
Espinosa Gustavo P.
Svendsen Kjeld
Tipton Bryan C.
Chang Eric
Intel Corporation
Kenyon & Kenyon
Lee Thomas
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