Abstract: The present invention provides for a bus system having a local bus ring coupled to a remote bus ring. A processing unit is coupled to the local bus node and is employable to request data. A cache is coupled to the processing unit through a command bus. A cache investigator, coupled to the cache, is employable to determine whether the cache contains the requested data. The cache investigator is further employable to generate and broadcast cache utilization parameters, which contain information as to the degree of accessing the cache by other caches, its own associated processing unit, and so on. In one aspect, the cache is a local cache. In another aspect, the cache is a remote cache.

Abstract: A sintered supported polycrystalline diamond compact (PCD) having improved abrasion resistance properties is manufactured by subjecting diamond crystals placed in adjacency with a metal carbide support containing a catalyst/sintering aid to high pressure/high temperature (HP/HT) processing. Said PCD compact comprises: a) a body of diamond crystals comprising a mixture of about 60 wt % to about 80 wt. % of coarse fraction having an average particle size ranging from about 30 to 60 &mgr;m and a fine fraction being about not substantially greater than about 20% of the average particle size of said coarse fraction; and b) a support body comprising about 12 wt. % or less of a catalyst/sintering.