Patent · US Active

Virtual architecture and instruction set for parallel thread computing

US8321849B2 · kind B2 · utility

81Cited by
12References
23Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 26, 2007
Grant dateNov 27, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 30, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F9/45533
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A virtual architecture and instruction set support explicit parallel-thread computing. The virtual architecture defines a virtual processor that supports concurrent execution of multiple virtual threads with multiple levels of data sharing and coordination (e.g., synchronization) between different virtual threads, as well as a virtual execution driver that controls the virtual processor. A virtual instruction set architecture for the virtual processor is used to define behavior of a virtual thread and includes instructions related to parallel thread behavior, e.g., data sharing and synchronization. Using the virtual platform, programmers can develop application programs in which virtual threads execute concurrently to process data; virtual translators and drivers adapt the application code to particular hardware on which it is to execute, transparently to the programmer.

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