Spoon-feed initialization in a multiprocessor system
US5682528A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 22, 1995 |
| Grant date | Oct 28, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 22, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/4405
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides a mechanism for initial execution of software code by a processor in a multiprocessor system. In the preferred embodiment, the multiprocessor system has registers implemented at a reset vector location in a processor. The registers are first loaded with a sequence of software code, and then a first instruction loop is implemented with that software code. The processor is then released from a reset state, and the first instruction loop is executed. This first instruction loop is capable of being executed for an indefinite length of time, and it can execute software instructions on a periodic basis. The first instruction loop is then modified into a second instruction loop. The first and second instruction loops have at least one different instruction. The processor within the system of multiple processors is thus initialized.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.