Multiprocessor system having efficient and shared atomic metering resource

Abstract

A multiprocessor system includes several processors, a Shared Local Memory (SLMEM) that stores instructions and data, a system interface block, a posted transaction interface block, and an atomics block. Each processor is coupled to the system interface block via its AHB-S bus. The posted transaction interface block and the atomics block are shared resources that a processor can use via the same system interface block. A processor causes the atomics block to perform an atomic metering operation by doing an AHB-S write to a particular address in shared address space. The system interface block translates information from the AHB-S write into an atomics command, which in turn is converted into pipeline opcodes that cause a pipeline within the atomics block to perform the operation. An atomics response communicates result information which is stored into the system interface block. The processor reads the result information by reading from the same address.