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Wake-up and sleep conditions of processors in a multi-processor system
   
Document Number
US Patent 7577823
Issued Date
August 18, 2009
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a multi-processor computer system comprising at least two processors for parallel execution of processes, at least two cache memory units, each being associated with and connected to a separate processor, a connection bus connecting said processors and said cache memory units, and a process list unit connected to said connection line for storing a process list of processes to be available for execution by said processors. In order to enable power saving if no processes for execution are available while guaranteeing a fast wake-up procedure if such processes are available it is proposed according to the present invention that said processors are adapted for loading a global wake-up variable signalling process additions of processes to said process list into their associated cache memory unit, for switching into a low-power mode if said process list contains no process for execution by said processors and for switching into a normal-power mode if said wake-up variable signals an addition of a process to said process list.Thus, according to the present invention the cache coherence protocol is used for communicating and signalling the availability of processes for execution.
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Number of Claims:
8
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Owner
NXP B.V. (Eindhoven,NL)
Published
August 18, 2009
Application Number
10/519,649
Filed
June 23, 2003
US Classification
712/43   712/10
Int'l Classification
G06F   15/76   (20060101)  
Assistant Examiner
Priority Data
Jul 03, 2002 [EP] 02077637
USPTO Field of Search
712/10   712/203   712/43  
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