Execution unit with data dependent conditional write instructions
US8356162B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 18, 2008 |
| Grant date | Jan 15, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 11, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/3888
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An execution unit supports data dependent conditional write instructions that write data to a target only when a particular condition is met. In one implementation, a data dependent conditional write instruction identifies a condition as well as data to be tested against that condition. The data is tested against that condition, and the result of the test is used to selectively enable or disable a write to a target associated with the data dependent conditional write instruction. Then, a write is attempted while the write to the target is enabled or disabled such that the write will update the contents of the target only when the write is selectively enabled as a result of the test. By doing so, dependencies are typically avoided, as is use of an architected condition register that might otherwise introduce branch prediction mispredict penalties, enabling improved performance with z-buffer test and similar types of algorithms.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.