Patent · US Active

Priority-based prefetch requests scheduling and throttling

US8255631B2 · kind B2 · utility

20Cited by
3References
23Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 1, 2008
Grant dateAug 28, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 30, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F2212/1016
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method, processor, and data processing system for implementing a framework for priority-based scheduling and throttling of prefetching operations. A prefetch engine (PE) assigns a priority to a first prefetch stream, indicating a relative priority for scheduling prefetch operations of the first prefetch stream. The PE monitors activity within the data processing system and dynamically updates the priority of the first prefetch stream based on the activity (or lack thereof). Low priority streams may be discarded. The PE also schedules prefetching in a priority-based scheduling sequence that corresponds to the priority currently assigned to the scheduled active streams. When there are no prefetches within a prefetch queue, the PE triggers the active streams to provide prefetches for issuing. The PE determines when to throttle prefetching, based on the current usage level of resources relevant to completing the prefetch.

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