Method and apparatus using a cache and main memory for both vector processing and scalar processing by prefetching cache blocks including vector data elements
US4888679A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 11, 1988 |
| Grant date | Dec 19, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 11, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F12/0855
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A main memory and cache suitable for scalar processing are used in connection with a vector processor by issuing prefetch requests in response to the recognition of a vector load instruction. A respective prefetch request is issued for each block containing an element of the vector to be loaded from memory. In response to a prefetch request, the cache is checked for a "miss" and if the cache does not include the required block, a refill request is sent to the main memory. The main memory is configured into a plurality of banks and has a capability of processing multiple references. Therefore the different banks can be referenced simultaneously to prefetch multiple blocks of vector data. Preferably a cache bypass is provided to transmit data directly to the vector processor as the data from the main memory are being stored in the cache. In a preferred embodiment, a vector processor is added to a digital computing system including a scalar processor, a virtual address translation buffer, a main memory and a cache. The scalar processor includes a microcode interpreter which sends a vector load command to the vector processing unit and which also generates vector prefetch requests. The…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.