Andrew Brock

Title: Andrew Brock: Innovator in Cache Coherence Technology

Introduction

Andrew Brock is a notable inventor based in Austin, TX (US). He has made significant contributions to the field of cache coherence systems, particularly in managing internode and intranode coherence in clusters of nodes. With a total of 2 patents, his work has implications for improving communication reliability in computing systems.

Latest Patents

One of Andrew Brock's latest patents is titled "Fault-tolerant cache coherence over a lossy network." This innovative cache coherence system is designed to manage both internode and intranode cache coherence within a cluster of nodes. Each node can either be a collection of processors running an intranode coherence protocol or a single processor. The system includes coherence ordering units (COUs) that are hardware circuits responsible for managing intranode coherence of caches and internode coherence with caches on other nodes. Each node is equipped with directories that track the state of cache line entries and may also include scoreboards for managing ongoing transactions. The internode cache coherence protocol implemented in the COUs is capable of detecting and resolving communication errors, such as dropped message packets, late message delivery, or node failures. Additionally, a transport layer is utilized to manage communication between nodes and can also help in resolving communication errors.

Career Highlights

Andrew Brock is currently employed at Oracle International Corporation, where he continues to develop innovative technologies. His work at Oracle has allowed him to focus on enhancing the reliability and efficiency of cache coherence systems.

Collaborations

Throughout his career, Andrew has collaborated with notable colleagues, including Paul N. Loewenstein and Damien Walker. These collaborations have contributed to the advancement of technology in the field of cache coherence.

Conclusion

Andrew Brock is a distinguished inventor whose work in cache coherence technology has made a significant impact on the field. His innovative patents and collaborations reflect his commitment to advancing computing systems.