17957978. DEVICE, METHOD, AND SYSTEM TO DETERMINE A COUNT OF RETIRED PREFETCH INSTRUCTIONS simplified abstract (Intel Corporation)
Contents
- 1 DEVICE, METHOD, AND SYSTEM TO DETERMINE A COUNT OF RETIRED PREFETCH INSTRUCTIONS
- 1.1 Organization Name
- 1.2 Inventor(s)
- 1.3 DEVICE, METHOD, AND SYSTEM TO DETERMINE A COUNT OF RETIRED PREFETCH INSTRUCTIONS - A simplified explanation of the abstract
- 1.4 Simplified Explanation
- 1.5 Potential Applications
- 1.6 Problems Solved
- 1.7 Benefits
- 1.8 Potential Commercial Applications
- 1.9 Possible Prior Art
- 1.10 Unanswered Questions
- 1.11 Original Abstract Submitted
DEVICE, METHOD, AND SYSTEM TO DETERMINE A COUNT OF RETIRED PREFETCH INSTRUCTIONS
Organization Name
Inventor(s)
Anton Hanna of Nof Hagalil (IL)
DEVICE, METHOD, AND SYSTEM TO DETERMINE A COUNT OF RETIRED PREFETCH INSTRUCTIONS - A simplified explanation of the abstract
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 17957978 titled 'DEVICE, METHOD, AND SYSTEM TO DETERMINE A COUNT OF RETIRED PREFETCH INSTRUCTIONS
Simplified Explanation
The abstract of the patent application describes techniques and mechanisms for a processor to determine the count of retired prefetch instructions. A Performance Monitoring Unit (PMU) monitors instruction execution, detects retired prefetch instructions, and updates a count accordingly. The PMU also distinguishes non-prefetch instructions to prevent count updates.
- Processor uses a Performance Monitoring Unit (PMU) to monitor instruction execution
- PMU detects retirement of prefetch instructions and updates a count
- PMU distinguishes non-prefetch instructions to prevent count updates
Potential Applications
The technology described in the patent application could be applied in:
- Advanced processors
- High-performance computing systems
- Embedded systems
Problems Solved
The technology addresses the following issues:
- Efficient monitoring of retired prefetch instructions
- Accurate counting of retired instructions
- Distinguishing between prefetch and non-prefetch instructions
Benefits
The benefits of this technology include:
- Improved performance monitoring
- Enhanced efficiency in processor operation
- Better understanding of instruction retirement patterns
Potential Commercial Applications
The technology could be valuable in various commercial applications, such as:
- Data centers
- Cloud computing services
- Mobile devices
Possible Prior Art
One possible prior art related to this technology is the use of performance monitoring units in processors to track instruction execution and retirement. Additionally, there may be existing techniques for counting retired instructions in processor architectures.
Unanswered Questions
How does the PMU detect the retirement of prefetch instructions?
The abstract mentions that the PMU detects the retirement of prefetch instructions, but it does not specify the exact mechanism or technique used for this detection.
What impact does updating the count of retired prefetch instructions have on processor performance?
While the abstract describes the updating of the count based on retired prefetch instructions, it does not discuss the potential implications or effects of this process on overall processor performance.
Original Abstract Submitted
Techniques and mechanisms for circuitry of a processor to determine a count of prefetch instructions which have been retired, or are designated for retirement. In an embodiment, a performance monitoring unit (PMU) monitors the execution of an instruction sequence by a core of said processor. The PMU detects the retirement of a first instruction, and further makes a first determination that the instruction is of a prefetch instruction type. Based on the first determination, counter circuitry of the processor updates a count of one or more instruction retirements, wherein each such retired instruction is of the prefetch instruction type. The PMU further makes a second determination that another retired second instruction is of a non-prefetch instruction type. In another embodiment, the counter circuitry prevents any updating of that same count based on the second determination.
