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Multi-processor task dispatching apparatus

  • US 4,394,727 A
  • Filed: 05/04/1981
  • Issued: 07/19/1983
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/04/1981
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. Tasking apparatus for a multiprocessor computer system including at least two processors sharing a common main storage containing a task dispatching queue adapted to have task dispatching elements enqueued in priority sequence, each processor having a task dispatcher for dispatching task dispatching elements from said task dispatching queue and for performing task switches when its associated processor is processing a task dispatching element having a priority lower than the priority of a waiting dispatchable task dispatching element on said task dispatching queue, said processors each having an enqueueing mechanism for returning waiting non-dispatchable task dispatching elements to said task dispatching queue, the improvement comprising:

  • a signal dispatcher for each processor for scanning the priorities of task dispatching elements on said task dispatching queue and signaling another processor to operate its task dispatcher upon finding a task dispatching element on said task dispatching queue having a priority higher than the priority of the task dispatching element being processed by the processor to be signaled, said signal dispatcher being rendered operable in response to said enqueueing mechanism of the associated processor enqueueing a task dispatching element on said task dispatching queue.

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