Method for providing synchronized data cache operation for processors in a parallel processing system, and parallel processing system implementing the method

摘要

Apparatus and method for insuring data cache content integrity among parallel processors. Each processor has a data cache to store intermediate calculations. The data cache of each processor is synchronized with each other through the use of synchronization intervals. During entry of a synchronization interval, modified data variables contained in an individual cache are written back to a shared memory. The unmodified data contained in a data cache is flushed from memory. During exiting of a sychronization interval, data variables which were not modified since entry into the synchronization interval are also flushed. By retaining modified data cache values in the individual processors which computed the modified values, unnecessary access to shared memory is avoided.