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  • Patent number: 7209996
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a processor is provided. The processor includes at least two cores, where each of the cores include a first level cache memory. Each of the cores are multi-threaded. In another embodiment, each of the cores includes four threads. In another embodiment a crossbar is included. A plurality of cache bank memories in communication with the at cores through the crossbar is provided. Each of the plurality of cache bank memories are in communication with a main memory interface. In another embodiment a buffer switch core in communication with each of the plurality of cache bank memories is also included. A server and a method for optimizing the utilization of a multithreaded processor core are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Leslie D. Kohn, Kunle A. Olukotun, Michael K. Wong
  • Patent number: 7873785
    Abstract: A processor is provided. The processor includes at least two cores. The at least two cores have a first level cache memory and are multi-threaded. A crossbar is included. A plurality of cache bank memories in communication with the at least two cores through the crossbar is provided. Each of the plurality of cache bank memories communicates with a main memory interface. A plurality of input/output interface modules in communication with the main memory interface and providing a link to the at least two cores are included. The link bypasses the plurality of cache bank memories and the crossbar. Threading hardware configured to enable the at least two cores to switch from a first thread to a second thread in a manner hiding delays caused by cache accesses is included. A server and a method for determining when to switch threads in a multi-core multi-thread environment are included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventor: Kunle A. Olukotun