US 8,412,886 B2 · Cache controller and control method for controlling access requests to a cache shared by plural threads that are simultaneously executed

Abstract

In such a configuration that a port unit is provided which takes a form being shared among threads and has a plurality of entries for holding access requests, and the access requests for a cache shared by a plurality of threads being executed at the same time are controlled using the port unit, the access request issued from each tread is registered on a port section of the port unit which is assigned to the tread, thereby controlling the port unit to be divided for use in accordance with the thread configuration. In selecting the access request, the access requests are selected for each thread based on the specified priority control from among the access requests issued from the threads held in the port unit, thereafter a final access request is selected in accordance with a thread selection signal from among those selected access requests. In accordance with such a configuration, the cache access processing can be carried out while reducing the amount of resources of the port unit and assuring effective use of such resources.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A cache controller that controls access requests to a cache shared by plural threads that are simultaneously executed, the cache controller comprising:

a port unit provided in a form shared by a plurality of threads, the port unit having plural entries and holding access requests to the entries;
a measuring unit to measure a frequency of access requests issued by each of the threads;
a control unit to divide the port unit dynamically into one or a plurality of port sections based on a measurement result of the measuring unit, allocating the threads into the divided one or the plurality of port sections respectively, registering an access request issued by one of the threads with a port section allocated to an issuer thread;
a first selecting unit provided in association with each of the threads, the first selecting unit receiving, as input, access requests registered with one of the port sections and selecting an access request among the received access requests according to a specified priority control;
and
a second selecting unit to receive, as input, the access requests selected by the first selecting unit and selecting a final access request among the selected access requests according to a thread selection signal.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Cache controller and control method for controlling access requests to a cache shared by plural threads that are simultaneously executed

Life of this patent

Cache controller and control method for controlling access requests to a cache shared by plural threads that are simultaneously executed

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims6