Patent · US Expired

Computer system architecture implementing split instruction and operand cache line-pair-state management

US5095424A · kind A · utility

61Cited by
10References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 21, 1989
Grant dateMar 10, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 21, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F12/0848
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A computer system architecture implementing multiple central processing units, each including a split instruction and operand cache, and that provides for the management of multiple copies (line pairs) of a memory line through the use of a line pair state is described. Systematic management of memory lines when transferred with respect to instruction and operand data cache memories allows the integrity of the system to be maintained at all times. The split cache architecture management determines whether a memory line having a first predetermined system address is present within both the instruction and operand cache memories or will be upon move-in of a memory line. Address tag line pair state information is maintained to allow determinations of whether and where the respective memory line pair members reside. The architecture implements the management of the line pairs on each transfer of a memory line to any of the split caches of the system. A line pair is allowed to exist whenever the same memory line exists in the same relative location in each of the instruction and operand cache buffers of a single central processor. The architecture further includes a data path selector fo…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.