Coupled memory multiprocessor computer system including cache coherency management protocols
US5303362A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 20, 1991 |
| Grant date | Apr 12, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 20, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F12/0811
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A coherent coupled memory multiprocessor computer system that includes a plurality of processor modules (11a, 11b . . . ), a global interconnect (13), an optional global memory (15) and an input/output subsystem (17,19) is disclosed. Each processor module (11a, 11b . . . ) includes: a processor (21); cache memory (23); cache memory controller logic (22); coupled memory (25); coupled memory control logic (24); and a global interconnect interface (27). Coupled memory (25) associated with a specific processor (21), like global memory (15), is available to other processors (21). Coherency between data stored in coupled (or global) memory and similar data replicated in cache memory is maintained by either a write-through or a write-back cache coherency management protocol. The selected protocol is implemented in hardware, i.e., logic, form, preferably incorporated in the coupled memory control logic (24) and in the cache memory controller logic (22). In the write-through protocol, processor writes are propagated directly to coupled memory while invalidating corresponding data in cache memory. In contrast, the write-back protocol allows data owned by a cache to be continuously updated un…
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