Message passing and blast interrupt from processor

Abstract

The invention involves communication within a multiprocessor system. The multiprocessor system includes a command word bus and a plurality of data processors. Each data processor is connected to the command word bus and includes a command circuit, a decoder and a reset control circuit. The command circuit may generate a command word on the command word bus including at least one reset command word for resetting a data processor. The decoder decodes command words received via the command word bus and includes at least a reset command decoder for decoding a reset command word. The reset control circuit resets the data processor into a state corresponding to initial application of electrical power upon receiving a reset command word. Each command word circuit generates command words indicating a particular data processor to which it is directed. Only a predetermined subset of the data processors may send the reset command word directed to other data processors. Additional actions such as interrupts, halt and cache memory flush may be controlled via the command word. In the preferred embodiment, a single command word may be directed to plural data processors. In the preferred embodiment, the command word bus and each of the data processors are disposed on a single semiconductor chip.