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US5996085A
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Concurrent execution of machine context synchronization operations and non-interruptible instructions
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1997-07-15
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Granted: 1999-11-30
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Expires: 2017-07-15
Abstract
Abstract Within a superscalar processor implementing parallel processing of instructions, machine context synchronization operations, which may alter the context or state of the processor, are allowed to be executed in parallel with non-interruptible instructions under certain conditions. Such a condition includes the absence of a side effect of the change of context resulting from the machine context synchronization operations on the non-interruptible instructions.
Inventors
- 👤 Hoichi Cheong
- 👤 Hung Qui Le
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 18:41
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/30; G06F9/30003; G06F9/30076; G06F9/30087; G06F9/38; G06F9/3836; G06F9/3838; G06F9/384; G06F9/3854; G06F9/3858; G06F9/38585; G06F9/3861
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
In a data processing system, a method for executing a machine context synchronization operation that changes a state of the system from a first state to a second state, said method comprising the steps of: determining if there are any instructions dispatched prior to said machine context synchronization operation that depend on said first state; if there are not any instructions dispatched prior to said machine context synchronization operation that depend on said first state, then executing said machine context synchronization operation concurrently with a non-interruptible instruction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
In a data processing system, a method for executing a machine context synchronization operation that changes a state of the system from a first state to a second state, said method comprising the steps of: determining if there are any instructions dispatched prior to said machine context synchronization operation that depend on said first state; if there are not any instructions dispatched prior to said machine context synchronization operation that depend on said first state, then executing said machine context synchronization operation concurrently with a non-interruptible instruction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said non-interruptible instruction is logically prior to said machine context synchronization operation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said machine context synchronization operation is an instruction-based interrupt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said machine context synchronization operation is a system call.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said machine context synchronization operation is a non-instruction-based interrupt.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said machine context synchronization operation is a context synchronizing instruction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said machine context synchronization operation is an ISYNC instruction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said machine context synchronization operation is a return from interrupt instruction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said machine context synchronization operation writes to a special purpose register.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps: determining if there are any prior outstanding interruptible instructions to complete; and completing said any prior outstanding interruptible instructions before executing said machine context synchronization operation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the following step is performed previous to the determining and executing steps: determining that said machine context synchronization operation will be executed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the step of determining that said machine context synchronization operation will be executed further comprises the step of determining that a non-speculative interruptible instruction has finished with an exception.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
83 words
A processor operable for executing a machine context synchronization operation that changes a state of the system from a first state to a second state, said processor comprising: circuitry for determining if there are any instructions dispatched prior to said machine context synchronization operation that depend on said first state; circuitry for executing said machine context synchronization operation concurrently with a non-interruptible instruction if there are not any instructions dispatched prior to said machine context synchronization operation that depend on said first state.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
83 words
A processor operable for executing a machine context synchronization operation that changes a state of the system from a first state to a second state, said processor comprising: circuitry for determining if there are any instructions dispatched prior to said machine context synchronization operation that depend on said first state; circuitry for executing said machine context synchronization operation concurrently with a non-interruptible instruction if there are not any instructions dispatched prior to said machine context synchronization operation that depend on said first state.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The processor as recited in claim 13, wherein said non-interruptible instruction is logically prior to said machine context synchronization operation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The processor as recited in claim 13, wherein said machine context synchronization operation is an instruction-based interrupt.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The processor as recited in claim 13, wherein said machine context synchronization operation is a system call.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The processor as recited in claim 13, wherein said machine context synchronization operation is a non-instruction-based interrupt.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The processor as recited in claim 13, wherein said machine context synchronization operation is a context synchronizing instruction.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The processor as recited in claim 13, wherein said machine context synchronization operation is an ISYNC instruction.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The processor as recited in claim 13, wherein said machine context synchronization operation is a return from interrupt instruction.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The processor as recited in claim 13, wherein said machine context synchronization operation writes to a special purpose register.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
39 words
The processor as recited in claim 13, further comprising: circuitry for determining if there are any prior outstanding interruptible instructions to complete; and circuitry for completing said any prior outstanding interruptible instructions before executing said machine context synchronization operation.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The processor as recited in claim 13, further comprising: circuitry for determining that said machine context synchronization operation will be executed.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
36 words
The processor as recited in claim 23, wherein the circuitry for determining that said machine context synchronization operation will be executed further comprises circuitry for determining that a non-speculative interruptible instruction has finished with an exception.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-11-29 | 2003-05-31 | 2003-11-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-29 | 2007-05-31 | 2007-11-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-29 | 2011-05-31 | 2011-11-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |