Method and apparatus for processing a load-lock instruction...

Details Method and apparatus for processing a load-lock instruction... Method and apparatus for processing a load-lock instruction...

2006-07-18

2006-07-18

Chace, Christian P. (Department: 2189)

Electrical computers and digital processing systems: memory

Storage accessing and control

Hierarchical memories

C711S146000, C712S207000, C712S217000, C712S237000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07080209

ABSTRACT:
A processing core using a lock scoreboard mechanism is provided. The lock scoreboard is adapted to manage a load-lock instruction. The load-lock scoreboard includes a plurality of scoreboard entries representing different conditions that must be met before the load-lock instruction can be retired. During execution of the load-lock instruction retirement conditions are speculatively performed, and the scoreboard is updated and checked accordingly. If the scoreboard indicates that one or more retirement conditions are not met, the load-lock instruction is replayed. Otherwise, the load-lock instruction is permitted to retire. Scoreboard management functions routinely update scoreboard contents as retirement conditions are cleared. This enables rapid retirement of load-lock operations.

REFERENCES:
patent: 5185871 (1993-02-01), Frey et al.
patent: 5197132 (1993-03-01), Steely, Jr. et al.
patent: 5341482 (1994-08-01), Cutler et al.
patent: 5519841 (1996-05-01), Sager et al.
patent: 5835745 (1998-11-01), Sager et al.
patent: 6076153 (2000-06-01), Grochowski et al.
patent: 6094717 (2000-07-01), Merchant et al.
patent: 6163838 (2000-12-01), Merchant et al.
patent: 6205542 (2001-03-01), Grochowski et al.
patent: 6370625 (2002-04-01), Carmean et al.
patent: 6463511 (2002-10-01), Boatright et al.
patent: 6651151 (2003-11-01), Palanca et al.
patent: 2002/0087810 (2002-07-01), Boatright et al.
patent: 2002/0199067 (2002-12-01), Patel et al.
patent: 2004/0117573 (2004-06-01), Sutanto et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Method and apparatus for processing a load-lock instruction... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Method and apparatus for processing a load-lock instruction..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and apparatus for processing a load-lock instruction... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3558466