Abstract:
A processor includes N-bit registers and a decode unit to receive a multiple register memory access instruction. The multiple register memory access instruction is to indicate a memory location and a register. The processor includes a memory access unit coupled with the decode unit and with the N-bit registers. The memory access unit is to perform a multiple register memory access operation in response to the multiple register memory access instruction. The operation is to involve N-bit data, in each of the N-bit registers comprising the indicated register. The operation is also to involve different corresponding N-bit portions of an MxN-bit line of memory corresponding to the indicated memory location. A total number of bits of the N-bit data in the N-bit registers to be involved in the multiple register memory access operation is to amount to at least half of the MxN-bits of the line of memory.
Abstract:
An electronic device (10) comprising a set of two or more scan chains (C0, C1) and a memory unit (MEM) is described. Each of the scan chains (C0, C1) has an input end and an output end, which are opposite ends of the respective scan chain, and each of the scan chains (C0, C1, C2) comprises a sequence of stateful elements (F3, F2, F1, F0) connected in series between the input end and the output end, and each of the scan chains (C0, C1) is arranged to hold a string (ABCDEFGH; IJKLMN) having a length identical to the length of the respective scan chain (C0; C1), namely identical to the number of stateful elements of the chain. The strings of the scan chains (C0, C1 ) are shifted in parallel from the scan chains (C0, C1) into the memory unit (MEM) via the respective output ends in a store operation (S1— S8) and back from the memory unit (MEM) into the respective scan chains (C0, C1) via the respective input ends in a restore operation (S9—S16). The store operation and the restore operation each comprise at least NO elementary downstream shift operations. The set of scan chains (C0, C1) includes a short chain (C1) and a detour chain (C0; C1), wherein the short chain (C1) has a length N1 shorter than NO, and the electronic device (10) comprises a buffer chain (B1) with a length of K = N0 - N1, which has an input end and an output end, which are opposite ends of the buffer chain (B1), with the output end of the short chain (C0) connected or connectable to the input end of the buffer chain (B1 ) and the output end of the buffer chain (B1) connected or connectable to the memory unit (MEM). The buffer chain (B1) is provided at least partly by the detour chain (C0; C1). A method of operating the electronic device (10) is also proposed.
Abstract:
A buffer memory architecture, method, and chip floor plan allows for significant reduction in the physical area required for a buffer memory of any given size in a microelectronic device. Buffer applications wherein random access to the buffered data is not required use a CMOS dynamic serial memory with p-channel devices supplied with a voltage less positive than the voltage supplied to their respective n-wells. In a particular embodiment, three memory stages are used in a cascaded fashion. The first and third memory stages store data on a parallel basis, while the second memory stage stores data on a serial basis. The second memory stage can be fabricated using much less chip area per bit than the first and third memory stages. Significant area reduction is achieved because the second memory stage eliminates addressing overhead associated with conventional high-density memory schemes, and low voltage power supplies permit relaxation of latch-up prevention layout rules.