Patents by Inventor Hillery C. Hunter

Hillery C. Hunter has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20130128682
    Abstract: An embodiment provided is a memory system with dynamic refreshing that includes a memory device with memory cells. The system also includes a refresh module in communication with the memory device and with a memory controller, the refresh module configured for receiving a refresh command from the memory controller and for refreshing a number of the memory cells in the memory device in response to receiving the refresh command. The number of memory cells refreshed in response to receiving the refresh command is responsive to at least one of a desired bandwidth characteristic and a desired latency characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joab D. Henderson, Hillery C. Hunter, Warren E. Maule, Jeffrey A. Stuecheli
  • Publication number: 20120324166
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for managing processing resources of a computerized system having at least a first processor and a second processor, each of the processors operatively interconnected to a memory storing a set of data to be processed by a processor, the method comprising: monitoring data accessed by the first processor while executing; and if the second processor is at a shorter distance than the first processor from the monitored data, instructing to interrupt execution at the first processor and resume the execution at the second processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hillery C Hunter, Ronald P. Luijten, Phillip Stanley-Marbell
  • Publication number: 20120300570
    Abstract: An advanced memory having improved performance, reduced power and increased reliability. A memory device includes a memory array, a receiver for receiving a command and associated data, error control coding circuitry for performing error control checking on the received command, and data masking circuitry for preventing the associated data from being written to the memory array in response to the error control coding circuitry detecting an error in the received command. Another memory device includes a programmable preamble. Another memory device includes a fast exit self-refresh mode. Another memory device includes auto refresh function that is controlled by the characteristic device. Another memory device includes an auto refresh function that is controlled by a characteristic of the memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kyu-Hyoun Kim, George L. Chiu, Paul W. Coteus, Daniel M. Dreps, Kevin C. Gower, Hillery C. Hunter, Charles A. Kilmer, Warren E. Maule
  • Publication number: 20120300563
    Abstract: An advanced memory having improved performance, reduced power and increased reliability. A memory device includes a memory array, a receiver for receiving a command and associated data, error control coding circuitry for performing error control checking on the received command, and data masking circuitry for preventing the associated data from being written to the memory array in response to the error control coding circuitry detecting an error in the received command. Another memory device includes a programmable preamble. Another memory device includes a fast exit self-refresh mode. Another memory device includes auto refresh function that is controlled by the characteristic device. Another memory device includes an auto refresh function that is controlled by a characteristic of the memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kyu-Hyoun Kim, George L. Chiu, Paul W. Coteus, Daniel M. Dreps, Kevin C. Gower, Hillery C. Hunter, Charles A. Kilmer, Warren E. Maule
  • Patent number: 8307270
    Abstract: An advanced memory having improved performance, reduced power and increased reliability. A memory device includes a memory array, a receiver for receiving a command and associated data, error control coding circuitry for performing error control checking on the received command, and data masking circuitry for preventing the associated data from being written to the memory array in response to the error control coding circuitry detecting an error in the received command. Another memory device includes a programmable preamble. Another memory device includes a fast exit self-refresh mode. Another memory device includes auto refresh function that is controlled by the characteristic device. Another memory device includes an auto refresh function that is controlled by a characteristic of the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kyu-Hyoun Kim, George L. Chiu, Paul W. Coteus, Daniel M. Dreps, Kevin C. Gower, Hillery C. Hunter, Charles A. Kilmer, Warren E. Maule
  • Publication number: 20120206984
    Abstract: A method for performing refresh operations is disclosed. In response to a completion of a memory operation, a determination is made whether or not a refresh backlog count is greater than a first predetermined value. In a determination that the refresh backlog count is greater than the first predetermined value, a refresh operation is performed as soon as possible. In a determination that the refresh backlog count is not greater than the first predetermined value, a refresh operation is performed after a delay of an idle count value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: IBM CORPORATION
    Inventors: JOHN S. DODSON, BENJIMAN L. GOODMAN, HILLERY C. HUNTER, STEVEN POWELL, JEFFREY A. STUECHELI
  • Publication number: 20120203968
    Abstract: A data processing system includes a processor core and a cache memory hierarchy coupled to the processor core. The cache memory hierarchy includes at least one upper level cache and a lowest level cache. A memory controller is coupled to the lowest level cache and to a system memory and includes a physical write queue from which the memory controller writes data to the system memory. The memory controller initiates accesses to the lowest level cache to place into the physical write queue selected cachelines having spatial locality with data present in the physical write queue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David M. DALY, Benjiman L. GOODMAN, Hillery C. HUNTER, William J. STARKE, Jeffrey A. STUECHELI
  • Publication number: 20120203969
    Abstract: A data processing system includes a multi-level cache hierarchy including a lowest level cache, a processor core coupled to the multi-level cache hierarchy, and a memory controller coupled to the lowest level cache and to a memory bus of a system memory. The memory controller includes a physical read queue that buffers data read from the system memory via the memory bus and a physical write queue that buffers data to be written to the system memory via the memory bus. The memory controller grants priority to write operations over read operations on the memory bus based upon a number of dirty cachelines in the lowest level cache memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: DAVID M. DALY, BENJIMAN L. GOODMAN, HILLERY C. HUNTER, WILLIAM J. STARKE, JEFFREY A. STUECHELI
  • Publication number: 20120144105
    Abstract: A method for performing refresh operations is disclosed. In response to a completion of a memory operation, a determination is made whether or not a refresh backlog count is greater than a first predetermined value. In a determination that the refresh backlog count is greater than the first predetermined value, a refresh operation is performed as soon as possible. In a determination that the refresh backlog count is not greater than the first predetermined value, a refresh operation is performed after a delay of an idle count value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: IBM Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Dodson, Benjiman L. Goodman, Hillery C. Hunter, Stephen Powell, Jeffrey A. Stuecheli
  • Patent number: 8108609
    Abstract: A hardware description language (HDL) design structure embodied on a machine-readable data storage medium includes elements that when processed in a computer aided design system generates a machine executable representation of a device for implementing dynamic refresh protocols for DRAM based cache. The HDL design structure further includes a DRAM cache partitioned into a refreshable portion and a non-refreshable portion; and a cache controller configured to assign incoming individual cache lines to one of the refreshable portion and the non-refreshable portion of the cache based on a usage history of the cache lines; wherein cache lines corresponding to data having a usage history below a defined frequency are assigned by the controller to the refreshable portion of the cache, and cache lines corresponding to data having a usage history at or above the defined frequency are assigned to the non-refreshable portion of the cache.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Barth, Philip G. Emma, Erik L. Hedberg, Hillery C. Hunter, Peter A. Sandon, Vijayalakshmi Srinivasan, Arnold S. Tran
  • Publication number: 20110276763
    Abstract: A data processing system includes a multi-level cache hierarchy including a lowest level cache, a processor core coupled to the multi-level cache hierarchy, and a memory controller coupled to the lowest level cache and to a memory bus of a system memory. The memory controller includes a physical read queue that buffers data read from the system memory via the memory bus and a physical write queue that buffers data to be written to the system memory via the memory bus. The memory controller grants priority to write operations over read operations on the memory bus based upon a number of dirty cachelines in the lowest level cache memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: DAVID M. DALY, BENJIMAN L. GOODMAN, HILLERY C. HUNTER, WILLIAM J. STARKE, JEFFREY A. STUECHELI
  • Publication number: 20110276762
    Abstract: A data processing system includes a processor core and a cache memory hierarchy coupled to the processor core. The cache memory hierarchy includes at least one upper level cache and a lowest level cache. A memory controller is coupled to the lowest level cache and to a system memory and includes a physical write queue from which the memory controller writes data to the system memory. The memory controller initiates accesses to the lowest level cache to place into the physical write queue selected cachelines having spatial locality with data present in the physical write queue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: DAVID M. DALY, BENJIMAN L. GOODMAN, HILLERY C. HUNTER, WILLIAM J. STARKE, JEFFREY A. STUECHELI
  • Patent number: 8024513
    Abstract: A method for implementing dynamic refresh protocols for DRAM based cache includes partitioning a DRAM cache into a refreshable portion and a non-refreshable portion, and assigning incoming individual cache lines to one of the refreshable portion and the non-refreshable portion of the cache based on a usage history of the cache lines. Cache lines corresponding to data having a usage history below a defined frequency are assigned to the refreshable portion of the cache, and cache lines corresponding to data having a usage history at or above the defined frequency are assigned to the non-refreshable portion of the cache.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Barth, Jr., Philip G. Emma, Erik L. Hedberg, Hillery C. Hunter, Peter A. Sandon, Vijayalakshmi Srinivasan, Arnold S. Tran
  • Publication number: 20110145545
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for managing processing resources of a computerized system having at least a first processor and a second processor, each of the processors operatively interconnected to a memory storing a set of data to be processed by a processor, the method comprising: monitoring data accessed by the first processor while executing; and if the second processor is at a shorter distance than the first processor from the monitored data, instructing to interrupt execution at the first processor and resume the execution at the second processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hillery C. Hunter, Ronald P. Luijten, Phillip Stanley-Marbell
  • Patent number: 7962695
    Abstract: A method of integrating a hybrid architecture in a set associative cache having a first type of memory structure for one or more ways in each congruence class, and a second type of memory structure for the remaining ways of the congruence class, includes determining whether a memory access request results in a cache hit or a cache miss; in the event of a cache miss, determining whether LRU way of the first type memory structure is also the LRU way of the entire congruence class, and if not, then copying the contents of the LRU way of the first type memory structure into the LRU way of the entire congruence class, and filling the LRU way of the first type memory structure with a new cache line in the event of a cache miss; and updating LRU bits, depending upon the results of the memory access request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Marc R. Faucher, Hillery C. Hunter, William R. Reohr, Peter A. Sandon, Vijayalakshmi Srinivasan, Arnold S. Tran
  • Patent number: 7948817
    Abstract: A memory device including a memory array storing data, a variable delay controller, a passive variable delay circuit and an output driver. The variable delay controller periodically receives delay commands from a first source external to the memory device during operation of the memory device, and outputs delay instruction bits responsive to the received delay commands. The passive variable delay circuit receives a clock from a second source external to the memory device, receives the delay instruction bits from the variable delay controller, generates a delayed clock having a time relation to the received clock as determined by the delay instruction bits, and outputting the delayed clock. The output driver receives the data from the memory array and the delayed clock, and outputs the data at a time responsive to the delayed clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul W. Coteus, Daniel M. Dreps, Kevin C. Gower, Hillery C. Hunter, Charles A. Kilmer, Kyu-hyoun Kim, Kenneth L. Wright
  • Publication number: 20110055671
    Abstract: An advanced memory having improved performance, reduced power and increased reliability. A memory device includes a memory array, a receiver for receiving a command and associated data, error control coding circuitry for performing error control checking on the received command, and data masking circuitry for preventing the associated data from being written to the memory array in response to the error control coding circuitry detecting an error in the received command. Another memory device includes a programmable preamble. Another memory device includes a fast exit self-refresh mode. Another memory device includes auto refresh function that is controlled by the characteristic device. Another memory device includes an auto refresh function that is controlled by a characteristic of the memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kyu-Hyoun Kim, George L. Chiu, Paul W. Coteus, Daniel M. Dreps, Kevin C. Gower, Hillery C. Hunter, Charles A. Kilmer, Warren E. Maule
  • Patent number: 7818624
    Abstract: A method for monitoring event occurrences from a plurality of processor units at a centralized location via a dedicated bus coupled between the plurality of processor units and the centralized location. In particular, the method comprises receiving, at the centralized location, data indicative of cumulative events occurring at one of the processor units, and storing the data in a first temporary memory. The data is then stored in a register based on a tag identifier affixed to the data in an instance where the tag identifier provides indicia of one of the plurality of processor units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hillery C. Hunter, Ravi Nair
  • Publication number: 20100220536
    Abstract: A memory device including a memory array storing data, a variable delay controller, a passive variable delay circuit and an output driver. The variable delay controller periodically receives delay commands from a first source external to the memory device during operation of the memory device, and outputs delay instruction bits responsive to the received delay commands. The passive variable delay circuit receives a clock from a second source external to the memory device, receives the delay instruction bits from the variable delay controller, generates a delayed clock having a time relation to the received clock as determined by the delay instruction bits, and outputting the delayed clock. The output driver receives the data from the memory array and the delayed clock, and outputs the data at a time responsive to the delayed clock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul W. Coteus, Daniel M. Dreps, Kevin C. Gower, Hillery C. Hunter, Charles A. Kilmer, Kyu-hyoun Kim, Kenneth L. Wright
  • Publication number: 20090193187
    Abstract: A design structure for an embedded DRAM (eDRAM) having multi-use refresh cycles is described. In one embodiment, there is a multi-level cache memory system that comprises a pending write queue configured to receive pending prefetch operations from at least one of the levels of cache. A prefetch queue is configured to receive prefetch operations for at least one of the levels of cache. A refresh controller is configured to determine addresses within each level of cache that are due for a refresh. The refresh controller is configured to assert a refresh write-in signal to write data supplied from the pending write queue specified for an address due for a refresh rather than refresh existing data. The refresh controller asserts the refresh write-in signal in response to a determination that there is pending data to supply to the address specified to have the refresh.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Barth, Jr., Philip G. Emma, Hillery C. Hunter, Vijayalakshmi Srinivasan, Arnold S. Tran