Apparatus and method for a load bias-load with intent to semaphore

Apparatus and method for efficiently sharing data in support of hardware cache coherency and coordinated in software with semaphore instructions. Accordingly, a new instruction called "Load-Bias" which, in addition to normal load operations, requests a private copy of the data, and hints t...

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Hauptverfasser: BRYG, WILLIAM R, BURGER, STEPHEN G, HAMMOND, GARY N, ZIEGLER, MICHAEL L
Format: Patent
Sprache:eng
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Zusammenfassung:Apparatus and method for efficiently sharing data in support of hardware cache coherency and coordinated in software with semaphore instructions. Accordingly, a new instruction called "Load-Bias" which, in addition to normal load operations, requests a private copy of the data, and hints to the hardware cache to try to maintain ownership until the next memory reference from that processor. When used with the Cmpxchg instruction semaphore operation, the Load-Bias instruction will reduce coherency traffic, and minimize the possibility of coherency ping-ponging or system deadlock that causes the condition in which no processor is getting useful work done.