Event-based bandwidth allocation mode switching method and apparatus

An apparatus comprising:

• a scheduler configured to
• detect a first event,
• select a first bandwidth allocation mode associated with the first event,
• allocate a plurality of execution cycles of a first instruction execution period among a plurality of instruction execution threads based at least in part on the first bandwidth allocation mode,
• detect a second event associated with a second bandwidth allocation mode,
• determine relative priorities of i) the first bandwidth allocation mode and ii) the second bandwidth allocation mode,
• selecting the second bandwidth allocation mode,
• allocate the plurality of execution cycles of a second instruction execution period based at least in part on the determined relative priorities;
• an instruction dispatcher configured to fetch and issue instructions of the plurality of instruction threads according to the allocation provided by the scheduler;
• and
• execution circuitry configured to execute instructions issued by the instruction dispatcher.

An apparatus comprising:

• means for detecting a first event;
• means for selecting a first bandwidth allocation mode associated with the first event;
• means for allocating a plurality of execution cycles of a first instruction period of a processor core among a plurality of instruction execution threads based at least in part on the first bandwidth allocation mode;
• means for detecting a second event associated with a second bandwidth allocation mode;
• means for determining relative priorities of i) the first bandwidth allocation mode and ii) the second bandwidth allocation mode;
• means for selecting the second bandwidth allocation mode;
• and
• means for allocating the plurality of execution cycles of a second instruction execution period based at least in part on the determined relative priorities.

A machine-accessible medium having associated instructions, which, when accessed, results in a machine:

• detecting a first event;
• selecting a first bandwidth allocation mode associated with the first event;
• allocating a plurality of execution cycles of a first instruction execution period of a processor core among a plurality of instruction execution threads based at least in part on the first bandwidth allocation mode;
• detecting a second event associated with a second bandwidth allocation mode;
• determining relative priorities of i) the first bandwidth allocation mode and ii) the second bandwidth allocation mode;
• selecting the second bandwidth allocation mode;
• and
• allocating the plurality of execution cycles of a second instruction execution period based at least in part on the determined relative priorities.

A system comprising:

• storage configured to store data;
• and
• a processor core configured to read and/or write data in the storage, the processor core having
• a scheduler configured to
• detect a first event,
• select a first bandwidth allocation mode associated with the first event,
• allocate a plurality of execution cycles of a first instruction execution period of the processor core among a plurality of instruction execution threads based at least in part on the first bandwidth allocation mode,
• detect second event associated with a second bandwidth allocation mode,
• determine relative priorities of i) the first bandwidth allocation mode and ii) the second bandwidth allocation mode,
• select the second bandwidth allocation mode, and
• allocate the plurality of execution cycles of a second instruction execution period based at least in part on the determined relative priorities,
• an instruction dispatcher configured to fetch and issue instructions of the plurality of instruction threads according to the allocation provided by the scheduler, and
• an execution circuitry configured to execute instructions issued by the instruction dispatcher.