Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for routing and distributing interrupts in a multi-processor computer to various processing elements within the computer. A system for distributing the interrupts may include a plurality of logic devices configured in a hierarchical tree structure that distributes incoming interrupts to interrupt redistributors (redistribution devices). The system also includes plural processing elements, where each processing element has an associated bus address. A shared serial bus couples the redistribution devices and processing elements. Each of the redistribution devices is configured to transfer the incoming interrupts to at least one of the processing elements over the common bus, based on the bus address.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for routing and distributing interrupts in a multi-processor computer to various processing elements within the computer. A system for distributing the interrupts may include a plurality of logic devices configured in a hierarchical tree structure that distributes incoming interrupts to interrupt redistributors (redistribution devices). The system also includes plural processing elements, where each processing element has an associated bus address. A shared serial bus couples the redistribution devices and processing elements. Each of the redistribution devices is configured to transfer the incoming interrupts to at least one of the processing elements over the common bus, based on the bus address.

Abstract: A processor may include several processor cores, each including a respective higher-level cache; a lower-level cache including several tag units each including several controllers, where each controller corresponds to a respective cache bank configured to store data, and where the controllers are concurrently operable to access their respective cache banks; and an interconnect network configured to convey data between the cores and the lower-level cache. The controllers in a given tag unit may share access to a resource that may include one or more of an interconnect egress port coupled to the interconnect network, an interconnect ingress port coupled to the interconnect network, a test controller, or a data storage structure.

Abstract: A processor may include several processor cores, each including a respective higher-level cache; a lower-level cache including several tag units each including several controllers, where each controller corresponds to a respective cache bank configured to store data, and where the controllers are concurrently operable to access their respective cache banks; and an interconnect network configured to convey data between the cores and the lower-level cache. The controllers in a given tag unit may share access to a resource that may include one or more of an interconnect egress port coupled to the interconnect network, an interconnect ingress port coupled to the interconnect network, a test controller, or a data storage structure.

Abstract: A processor may include several processor cores, each including a respective higher-level cache; a lower-level cache including several tag units each including several controllers, where each controller corresponds to a respective cache bank configured to store data, and where the controllers are concurrently operable to access their respective cache banks; and an interconnect network configured to convey data between the cores and the lower-level cache. The controllers may share access to an interconnect egress port coupled to the interconnect network, and may generate multiple concurrent requests to convey data via the shared port, where each of the requests is destined for a corresponding core, and where a datapath width of the port is less than a combined width of the multiple requests. The given tag unit may arbitrate among the controllers for access to the shared port, such that the requests are transmitted to corresponding cores serially rather than concurrently.

Abstract: A processor may include several processor cores, each including a respective higher-level cache; a lower-level cache including several tag units each including several controllers, where each controller corresponds to a respective cache bank configured to store data, and where the controllers are concurrently operable to access their respective cache banks; and an interconnect network configured to convey data between the cores and the lower-level cache. The controllers may share access to an interconnect egress port coupled to the interconnect network, and may generate multiple concurrent requests to convey data via the shared port, where each of the requests is destined for a corresponding core, and where a datapath width of the port is less than a combined width of the multiple requests. The given tag unit may arbitrate among the controllers for access to the shared port, such that the requests are transmitted to corresponding cores serially rather than concurrently.

Abstract: An arithmetic logic unit (ALU) implemented with complementary pass gate logic using propagate, generate, and kill is provided. Broadly speaking, the ALU is a 64-bit ALU using a multi-stage global carry chain to generate intermediate fourth-bit carries that are folded with local four-bit sums to efficiently generate a final sum output. The ALU implements ones complement subtraction by incorporating a subtraction select signal to invert each bit of a second operand. The ALU circuitry implements a push-pull methodology to improve performance.

Abstract: A method for handling a conditional move instruction using a two read port per issue slot register file, where the conditional move instruction references a first register, a second register, and a third register is provided. The method involves decoding a conditional move instruction, invoking at least two helper instructions dependent on the decoding, evaluating a register condition of the first register using a first helper instruction, and updating the third register with the contents of either the second register third register dependent on the evaluating using a second helper instruction.

Abstract: An arithmetic logic unit (ALU) implemented with complementary pass gate logic using propagate, generate, and kill is provided. Broadly speaking, the ALU is a 64-bit ALU using a multi-stage global carry chain to generate intermediate fourth-bit carries that are folded with local four-bit sums to efficiently generate a final sum output. The ALU implements ones complement subtraction by incorporating a subtraction select signal to invert each bit of a second operand. The ALU circuitry implements a push-pull methodology to improve performance.

Abstract: A method for placing repeater banks in an integrated circuit (IC) design, the IC design including a plurality of circuit blocks placed in an IC design area, the method includes (a) obtaining information of virtual coordinates of virtual repeaters, the virtual repeaters being inserted individually in signal paths between the circuit blocks, the virtual coordinates representing physical location of each of the virtual repeaters in the IC design area, (b) dividing the IC design area into a plurality of sections, (c) determining, for each of the sections, a quantity of the virtual repeaters having the virtual coordinates within the section, (d) clustering, for each of the sections, the virtual repeaters into a repeater bank having a selected size in accordance with the quantity of the virtual repeaters in the section, and (e) assigning to each of the repeater banks a location to be placed within the corresponding section.