Data buffer prefetch apparatus and method
AssigneeSun Microsystems, Inc.
InventorJohn E. Watkins
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A prefetch apparatus optimizes bandwidth in a computer network by prefetch accessing data blocks prior to their demand in an ATM network thereby effectively reducing memory read latency. The method of the preferred embodiment includes the steps of: 1) computing a prefetch address of a next sequential data block given an address of a requested data block; 2) comparing a current request address against a previously computed prefetch address; and 3) generating a hit/miss indication corresponding to whether the current request address matches the previously computed prefetch address.
Claims22
In a computer network, a prefetch apparatus for optimizing data block access bandwidth by prefetch accessing a data block prior to demand, the prefetch apparatus comprising:
- circuitry configured to compute a prefetch address of a next sequential data block given an address of a requested data block;
- circuitry configured to compare a current request address against a previously computed prefetch address;
- circuitry configured to generate a hit/miss indication corresponding to whether the current request address matches the previously computed prefetch address
- circuitry configured to retain prefetched data in at least one of a plurality of read data buffers;
- and
- circuitry configured to control one of said plurality of read data buffers to allow said prefetched data retaining circuitry to have access to said controlled read data buffer,
- said controlled read data buffer rotating its position amongst said plurality of read data buffers.
In a computer network, a method for prefetch accessing a data block prior to demand, the method comprising the steps of:
- computing a prefetch address of a next sequential data block given an address of a requested data block;
- comparing a current request address against a previously computed prefetch address;
- generating a hit/miss indication corresponding to whether the current request address matches the previously computer prefetch address
- retaining prefetched data in one of a plurality of read data buffers;
- and
- controlling one of said plurality of read data buffers to allow said prefetched data have access to said controlled read data buffer, wherein said controlled read data buffer rotating its position amongst said plurality of read data buffers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.