Memory record update filtering
AssigneeIntel Corporation
InventorsStephan J. Jourdan, Ronny Ronen, Michael Bekerman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods to filter memory record updates. A microprocessor can include a memory record update filter. The memory record update filter can include a table memory populated by a plurality of data entries. Each data entry can include a data tag field to store a data tag, a data field to store a data value, and a filter field to store a filter value. A first comparator can be in communication with the data tag field of the table memory and a data accessing information input to perform a data tag comparison. A second comparator can be in communication with the filter field of the table memory and a data value input. A control circuit can be in communication with the table memory, the first comparator, and the second comparator.
Claims34
A method of filtering data record updates in a memory having a data side and a filter side on a microprocessor, the method comprising:
- receiving a data value in the memory;
- comparing filter table accessing information to data contents of the filter side, said filter table accessing information based on the data value and associated data table accessing information;
- and
- if the filter table accessing information comparison indicates a match:
- updating the data side based on the data value, and
- updating the filter side based on the filter table accessing information.
A filtered memory comprising:
- a pair of memories;
- a first comparator to perform a data tag comparison, said first comparator being coupled to a data tag field of a first memory of said pair of memories and a data record accessing information input;
- a second comparator being coupled to a filter tag field of a second memory of said pair of memories and a data value input;
- and
- a control circuit being coupled to said first comparator and said second comparator.
A machine-readable medium having stored therein a set of executable instructions to perform a method comprising:
- receiving a data value in a memory;
- comparing filter table accessing information to data contents of a filter side, said filter table accessing information based on the data value and associated data table accessing information;
- and
- if the filter table accessing information comparison indicates a match:
- updating a data side based on the data value, and
- updating the filter side based on the filter table accessing information.
A filtered memory comprising:
- a plurality of first entries, each of said plurality of first entries having at least a tag field;
- a comparator coupled to said tag fields of the plurality of first entries and having an input for address data;
- a plurality of second entries, each of said plurality of second entries having a field to store data;
- and
- each of said plurality of second entries field to store data being configured to store data upon a hit in the plurality of first entries.
A memory management method comprising, during an attempt to store a data item in the memory:
- determining whether there has been a prior attempt to store the data item in the memory, and
- storing the data item in the memory only if there have been a threshold number of prior attempts to store the data item in the memory.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.