Memory attribute palette
US5946713A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 18, 1997 |
| Grant date | Aug 31, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 18, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F12/0802
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention relates to a computer system in which linear memory attributes are specified. Physical memory attributes may also be specified in physical attribute registers. A memory attribute palette (MAP) receives index signals and selects linear memory attributes in response to the index signals. An effective memory attribute selector receives selected linear memory attribute signals and, if present, the physical memory attribute signals and, in response thereto, selects effective memory attribute signals to present an effective memory attribute. In a preferred embodiment, the linear memory attributes may be programmably written into one or more registers, thereby allowing a program or OS flexibility in the choice of memory attributes, including memory attributes not currently used. The invention allows a program to apply a memory attribute of choice to a particular section of memory, thereby allowing the computer system to provide higher performance.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.