Architectural enhancements for parallel computer systems utilizing encapsulation of queuing allowing small grain processing
US5485626A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 3, 1992 |
| Grant date | Jan 16, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 3, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/4843
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An architecture uses a process, termed "encapsulation", by which queues and counters are only accessed through a special memory operand called "object storage". The system alone is in control of the object storage, and the user cannot access it directly at any time. If the user needs to access a queue, the user must request it from the system. The system will in turn provide such access by issuing the user a "token". This token is the only means of communication between the user and the requested queue. By providing threads to be dispatched to real processors without large operating overhead, through object storage, the operating systems do not need to wait for the system's dispatching process to complete. Operating systems can signal the system through the use of object storage that they are authorized to access the processor when needed and thus forego the long dispatching process. In addition, since real processors are not dedicated, they can execute other programs when not needed. Since the state of threads is unknown to the operating system and the object dispatcher is in charge, operating support is kept at a minimum, which in itself is an important advantage of the invention…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.