Patents by Inventor Michael Billeci

Michael Billeci 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).

  • Patent number: 9792124
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to speculative branch handling for transaction abort. An aspect includes detecting a beginning of a current execution of a transaction. Another aspect includes, based on detecting the beginning of the transaction, disabling speculative execution based on branch prediction of an initial branch instruction of the transaction, wherein the initial branch instruction branches to two possible paths, and wherein a first path of the two possible paths comprises an abort handler. Another aspect includes disabling updating of a history table for the initial branch instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Billeci, James J. Bonanno, Adam B. Collura, Christian Jacobi, Anthony Saporito, Timothy J. Slegel
  • Patent number: 9720764
    Abstract: Uncorrectable memory errors in pipelined central processing units. A processor core may be connected to a memory system and it may include a processor cache. In response to determining an uncorrectable error in data stored in the memory system, the address of a memory location of the uncorrectable error is stored in an address buffer and a recovery procedure is performed for the processor core. When fetching data from a memory location and if it is determined that the address of this memory location is stored in the address buffer, the content of a cache line related to the address is moved into a quarantine buffer of the processor core. When detecting an error in the data of the moved cache line, a repair procedure for the data of this address is triggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Billeci, Uwe Brandt, Christian Jacobi, Martin Recktenwald
  • Patent number: 9665376
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes requesting, by a first processor thread of a computer processor, access to exception tracking logic. The exception tracking logic is accessible by a plurality of processor threads. The first processor thread receives access to the exception tracking logic. The first processor thread executes a process in slow mode. Based on detecting an exception in slow mode, the first processor thread stores, in the exception tracking logic, exception information about the exception. The exception information is copied from the exception tracking logic to a set of external registers outside the exception tracking logic. The exception tracking logic is released to allow access to the exception tracking logic by other processor threads of the plurality of processor threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Khary J. Alexander, Michael Billeci, Fadi Y. Busaba, Mark S. Farrell, Christian Jacobi, Timothy J. Slegel
  • Patent number: 9619237
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to speculative branch handling for transaction abort. An aspect includes detecting a beginning of a current execution of a transaction. Another aspect includes, based on detecting the beginning of the transaction, disabling speculative execution based on branch prediction of an initial branch instruction of the transaction, wherein the initial branch instruction branches to two possible paths, and wherein a first path of the two possible paths comprises an abort handler. Another aspect includes disabling updating of a history table for the initial branch instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Billeci, James J. Bonanno, Adam B. Collura, Christian Jacobi, Anthony Saporito, Timothy J. Slegel
  • Publication number: 20160350125
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to speculative branch handling for transaction abort. An aspect includes detecting a beginning of a current execution of a transaction. Another aspect includes, based on detecting the beginning of the transaction, disabling speculative execution based on branch prediction of an initial branch instruction of the transaction, wherein the initial branch instruction branches to two possible paths, and wherein a first path of the two possible paths comprises an abort handler. Another aspect includes disabling updating of a history table for the initial branch instruction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Billeci, James J. Bonanno, Adam B. Collura, Christian Jacobi, Anthony Saporito, Timothy J. Slegel
  • Patent number: 9507602
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes requesting, by a first processor thread of a computer processor, access to exception tracking logic. The exception tracking logic is accessible by a plurality of processor threads. The first processor thread receives access to the exception tracking logic. The first processor thread executes a process in slow mode. Based on detecting an exception in slow mode, the first processor thread stores, in the exception tracking logic, exception information about the exception. The exception information is copied from the exception tracking logic to a set of external registers outside the exception tracking logic. The exception tracking logic is released to allow access to the exception tracking logic by other processor threads of the plurality of processor threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Khary J. Alexander, Michael Billeci, Fadi Y. Busaba, Mark S. Farrell, Christian Jacobi, Timothy J. Slegel
  • Patent number: 9454377
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to speculative branch handling for transaction abort. An aspect includes detecting a beginning of a current execution of a transaction. Another aspect includes, based on detecting the beginning of the transaction, disabling speculative execution based on branch prediction of an initial branch instruction of the transaction, wherein the initial branch instruction branches to two possible paths, and wherein a first path of the two possible paths comprises an abort handler. Another aspect includes disabling updating of a history table for the initial branch instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Billeci, James J. Bonanno, Adam B. Collura, Christian Jacobi, Anthony Saporito, Timothy J. Siegel
  • Publication number: 20160239310
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to speculative branch handling for transaction abort. An aspect includes detecting a beginning of a current execution of a transaction. Another aspect includes, based on detecting the beginning of the transaction, disabling speculative execution based on branch prediction of an initial branch instruction of the transaction, wherein the initial branch instruction branches to two possible paths, and wherein a first path of the two possible paths comprises an abort handler. Another aspect includes disabling updating of a history table for the initial branch instruction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Billeci, James J. Bonanno, Adam B. Collura, Christian Jacobi, Anthony Saporito, Timothy J. Slegel
  • Publication number: 20160239301
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to speculative branch handling for transaction abort. An aspect includes detecting a beginning of a current execution of a transaction. Another aspect includes, based on detecting the beginning of the transaction, disabling speculative execution based on branch prediction of an initial branch instruction of the transaction, wherein the initial branch instruction branches to two possible paths, and wherein a first path of the two possible paths comprises an abort handler. Another aspect includes disabling updating of a history table for the initial branch instruction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Billeci, James J. Bonanno, Adam B. Collura, Christian Jacobi, Anthony Saporito, Timothy J. Slegel
  • Publication number: 20160196144
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes requesting, by a first processor thread of a computer processor, access to exception tracking logic. The exception tracking logic is accessible by two or more processor threads. The first processor thread receives access to the exception tracking logic. The first processor thread executes a process in slow mode. Based on detecting an exception in slow mode, the first processor thread stores, in the exception tracking logic, exception information about the exception. The exception information is copied from the exception tracking logic to a set of external registers outside the exception tracking logic. The exception tracking logic is released to allow access to the exception tracking logic by other processor threads of the two or more processor threads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: Khary J. Alexander, Michael Billeci, Fadi Y. Busaba, Mark S. Farrell, Christian Jacobi, Timothy J. Slegel
  • Publication number: 20160170768
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes requesting, by a first processor thread of a computer processor, access to exception tracking logic. The exception tracking logic is accessible by two or more processor threads. The first processor thread receives access to the exception tracking logic. The first processor thread executes a process in slow mode. Based on detecting an exception in slow mode, the first processor thread stores, in the exception tracking logic, exception information about the exception. The exception information is copied from the exception tracking logic to a set of external registers outside the exception tracking logic. The exception tracking logic is released to allow access to the exception tracking logic by other processor threads of the two or more processor threads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Khary J. Alexander, Michael Billeci, Fadi Y. Busaba, Mark S. Farrell, Christian Jacobi, Timothy J. Slegel
  • Patent number: 9323640
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and system for measuring the performance of individual logical partitions of a logically partitioned computer system. Preferably, the method and system both hardware and firmware to allow measurement samples to be collected only for user specified zones of interest. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of specifying a Zone or Zones of interest (a Zone being a logical partition), collecting measurement samples only from the one or more specified Zones of interest, and measuring the performance of each of these Zones using only the measurement samples collected from said each of the Zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jane H. Bartik, Michael Billeci, Lisa C. Heller, Donald G. O'Brien, Bruce A. Wagar, Patrick M. West, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20160034336
    Abstract: Uncorrectable memory errors in pipelined central processing units. A processor core may be connected to a memory system and it may include a processor cache. In response to determining an uncorrectable error in data stored in the memory system, the address of a memory location of the uncorrectable error is stored in an address buffer and a recovery procedure is performed for the processor core. When fetching data from a memory location and if it is determined that the address of this memory location is stored in the address buffer, the content of a cache line related to the address is moved into a quarantine buffer of the processor core. When detecting an error in the data of the moved cache line, a repair procedure for the data of this address is triggered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Billeci, Uwe Brandt, Christian Jacobi, Martin Recktenwald
  • Patent number: 9075600
    Abstract: A computer implemented method of processing instructions of a computer program. The method comprises providing at least two copies of program status data; identifying a first update instruction of the instructions that writes to at least one field of the program status data; and associating the first update instruction with a first copy of the at least two copies of program status data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory W. Alexander, Brian D. Barrick, Michael Billeci, Fadi Y. Busaba, Bruce C. Giamei, David A. Schroter
  • Patent number: 8683180
    Abstract: A method, processor, and computer program product employing an intermediate register mapper within a register renaming mechanism. A logical register lookup determines whether a hit to a logical register associated with the dispatched instruction has occurred. In this regard, the logical register lookup searches within at least one register mapper from a group of register mappers, including an architected register mapper, a unified main mapper, and an intermediate register mapper. A single hit to the logical register is selected among the group of register mappers. If an instruction having a mapper entry in the unified main mapper has finished but has not completed, the mapping contents of the register mapper entry in the unified main mapper are moved to the intermediate register mapper, and the unified register mapper entry is released, thus increasing a number of unified main mapper entries available for reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian D. Barrick, Michael Billeci, Lee E. Eisen
  • Patent number: 8516228
    Abstract: A computer processing system is provided. The computer processing system includes a first datastore that stores a subset of information associated with an instruction. A first stage of a processor pipeline writes the subset of information to the first datastore based on an execution of an operation associated with the instruction. A second stage of the pipeline initiates reprocessing of the operation associated with the instruction based on the subset of information stored in the first datastore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Khary J. Alexander, Michael Billeci, Fadi Y. Busaba, Bruce C. Giamei
  • Patent number: 8453124
    Abstract: A system and method for collecting instrumentation data in a processor with a pipelined instruction execution stages arranged in an out-of-order execution architecture. One instruction group in a Global Completion Table is marked as a tagged group. Instrumentation data is stored for processing stages processing instructions associated with the tagged group. Sample signal pulses trigger a determination of whether the tagged group is the next-to-complete instruction group. When the sample pulse occurs at a time when the tagged group is the next-to-complete group, the instrumentation data is written as an output. Instrumentation data present during sample pulses that occur when the tagged group is not the next-to-complete group is optionally discarded. Sample pulses are generated at a rate equal to the desired sample rate times the number of groups in the global completion table to better ensure occurrence of a next-to-complete tagged group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory W. Alexander, Jane Bartik, Michael Billeci, David Hutton, Christian Jacobi, Jang-Soo Lee, Eric Schwarz, Chung-Lung Shum, Phil C. Yeh
  • Publication number: 20120246439
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and system for measuring the performance of individual logical partitions of a logically partitioned computer system. Preferably, the method and system both hardware and firmware to allow measurement samples to be collected only for user specified zones of interest. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of specifying a Zone or Zones of interest (a Zone being a logical partition), collecting measurement samples only from the one or more specified Zones of interest, and measuring the performance of each of these Zones using only the measurement samples collected from said each of the Zones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jane H. Bartik, Michael Billeci, Lisa C. Heller, Donald G. O'Brien, Bruce A. Wagar, Patrick M. West, JR.
  • Patent number: 8209668
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and system for measuring the performance of individual logical partitions of a logically partitioned computer system. Preferably, the method and system both hardware and firmware to allow measurement samples to be collected only for user specified zones of interest. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of specifying a Zone or Zones of interest (a Zone being a logical partition), collecting measurement samples only from the one or more specified Zones of interest, and measuring the performance of each of these Zones using only the measurement samples collected from said each of the Zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jane H. Bartik, Michael Billeci, Lisa C. Heller, Donald G O'Brien, Bruce Wagar, Patrick M. West, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8201067
    Abstract: A method for processor error checking including receiving an instruction data, generating a pre-processing parity data based on the instruction data, maintaining the pre-processing parity data, processing the instruction data, generating a post-processing parity data based on the processed instruction data, checking for an error related to processing the instruction data by comparing the post-processing parity data to the pre-processing parity data, and transmitting an error signal that indicates the error related to processing the instruction data occurred if the post-processing parity data does not match the pre-processing parity data, wherein checking for the error related to processing the instruction data is performed without using a duplicate processing circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Fadi Y. Busaba, Khary J. Alexander, Michael Billeci, Bruce C. Giamei, Vimal M. Kapadia