Patent · US Active

Multiple-core processor supporting multiple instruction set architectures

US8028290B2 · kind B2 · utility

48Cited by
9References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 30, 2006
Grant dateSep 27, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 26, 2027

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02D10/00
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Multiple instruction set architectures are supported in a system that provides a power-efficient and flexible platform for virtual machine environments requiring multiple support for multiple instruction set architectures (ISAs). A processor includes multiple cores having disparate native ISAs and that may be selectively enabled for operation, so that power is conserved when support for a particular ISA is not required of the processor. A hypervisor controls operation of the cores, locates a core and enables it if necessary when a request to instantiate a virtual machine having a specified ISA is received. The ISA may be specified by a particular operating system and/or application program requirements.

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