Abstract:
Computer appratus includes an instruction execution unit (13) having a plurality of functional units (14,16) each arranged to execute at least part of an instruction and instruction issuing circuitry (10,12) for issuing simultaneously a group of separate compatible instructions to the execution unit (13) the circuitry (12) having means for classifying each instruction in dependence on the or each functional unit required for execution of that instruction and means for testing the classification of successive instructions and selecting a group which according to their classification are compatible for simultaneous issue to the execution unit (13) without conflicting demands on any function unit (14,16) in the execution unit.
Abstract:
A semiconductor chip package (2) comprising at least one semiconductor chip disposed in a package and a plurality of first and second pins (18,20) extending from the package, which first pins are electrically connected to the at least one semiconductor chip and are adapted to conduct signals between the at least one semiconductor chip and external circuitry, the first pins being divided into a plurality of groups, each group representing a respective signal type, and which second pins are not electrically connected to the at least one semiconductor chip, the first pins of at least one group and the second pins being asymmetrically disposed along edges (14,16) of the package and the remaining groups of first pins being symmetrically disposed along edges of the package. The invention also provides a stacked module of the semiconductor chip packages.
Abstract:
In a semi-conductor memory cell components are formed in regions separated from each other by one or more insulation layers (40) and first and second load resistors (20,22) and gate regions (70,72) of first and second cross-coupled driver field effect transistors (16,18) are formed in a first conductive layer (64) and the word line (36) and gate regions (66,68) of first and second transfer transistors (28,30) are formed in a second conductive layer (60).
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method of controlling one or more second apparatus from a first apparatus, which is responsive to first control signals from a first remote control device. The characteristic steps of the method comprise: providing the first remote control with additional operational functions, and corresponding third control signals, that correspond to functions of said second apparatus; receiving and storing in said first apparatus, as part of an initialisation procedure, second control signals that have corresponding third control signals, said second control signals being stored as second reference control signals in a storage medium; receiving said third control signals from said first remote control; receiving said second reference control signals from said storage medium; comparing said third control signals and said second reference control signals; and controlling, by means of said second reference control signals, said second apparatus, via said first apparatus, when said third control signals and said second reference control signals equal each other.
Abstract:
A computer system has a processor, a cache and a main memory. A cache coherency mechanism ensures that the contents of the cache are coherent with respect to main memory by the provision of cache coherency instructions which each specify: 1) an operation to be executed on the contents of a location in the cache; and 2) an address in main memory. The operation is executed for the contents of the location in the cache which could be filled by an access to that address in main memory if the executing process normally has access to that address in main memory, regardless of whether or not the contents of the specified address in main memory are held at that location in the cache. This provides an extra degree of freedom because it is not necessary for the cache coherency operation to be requested in respect of a particular address stored in the cache. The instruction can specify any address which would map onto that cache location.