System and method for accelerating read requests within a multiprocessor system

A method of managing data signals stored within a storage device of a data processing system, comprising:

• a.) making a request for ones of the data signals;
• b.) retrieving the requested data signals from the storage device before it is determined whether an updated copy of the data signals exists;
• c.) temporarily retaining the requested data signals within the storage device;
• d.) issuing a snoop request from the storage device to determine whether an updated copy of the requested data signals exists;
• and
• e.) in response to the request for the data signals, providing the updated copy if the updated copy exists, otherwise, providing the requested data signals that were temporarily stored.

A data processing system, comprising:

• a main memory to store data signals;
• multiple cache memories coupled to the main memory to store any of the data signals retrieved from the main memory;
• a requester coupled to the main memory to request ones of the data signals;
• a storage device within the main memory, wherein the requested data signals are retrieved from the main memory and stored in the storage device before it is determined whether an updated copy of the requested data signals is stored in any of the multiple cache memories;
• a snoop request circuit coupled to the storage device to make a request from the main memory to an identified one of the multiple cache memories to return any updated copy of the requested data signals;
• and
• a response circuit coupled to the storage device to provide to the requester any returned updated copy of the requested data signals, or if no updated copy is returned, to instead provide the requested data signals stored by the storage device.

A data processing system, comprising:

• data storage means for storing data signals;
• requesting means for making a request to cause ones of the data signals to be retrieved from the data storage means before it has been determined whether a valid modified copy of the data signals exists;
• buffer means in the data storage means for storing the retrieved data signals;
• means for issuing a request from the data storage means to retrieve the valid modified copy of the retrieved data signals;
• and
• response output means for providing the valid modified copy to the requesting means, and, if the valid modified copy does not exist, for providing the retrieved data signals stored by the buffer means to the requesting means.