Compaq ECQD2KCTE manual Litmus Test 7 Impossible Sequence, Litmus Test 8 Impossible Sequence

Models: ECQD2KCTE

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There is V2 U1 U2 U3 V1. There are no conflicts in this sequence. There are no violations of the definition of BEFORE.

In litmus tests 4, 5, and 6, writes to two different locations x and y are observed (by another processor) to occur in the opposite order than that in which they were performed. An update to y propagates quickly to Pj, but the update to x is delayed, and Pi and Pj do not both have MBs.

5.6.2.7 Litmus Test 7 (Impossible Sequence)

Initially, locations x and y contain 1:

Pi

Pj

[U1]Pi:W<8>(x,2)[V1]Pj:R<8>(y,2)

[U2]Pi:MB[V2]Pj:MB

[U3]Pi:W<8>(y,2)[V3]Pj:R<8>(x,1)

Analysis:

<1>

V3 reading 1 implies V3 U1, by storage and visibility.

<2>

V1 reading 2 implies U3 V1, by storage and visibility.

<3>

U1 U2 U3, by processor issue constraints.

<4>

V1 V2 V3, by processor issue constraints.

<5>

By <2>, <3>, and <4>, U1 U2 U3 V1 V2 V3.

Both <1> and <5> cannot be true, so if V1 reads 2, then V3 must also read 2.

If both x and y are in memory-like regions, the sequence remains impossible if U2 is changed to a WMB. Similarly, if both x and y are in non-memory-like regions, the sequence remains impossible if U2 is changed to a WMB.

5.6.2.8 Litmus Test 8 (Impossible Sequence)

Initially, locations x and y contain 1:

Pi

Pj

[U1]Pi:W<8>(x,2)[V1]Pj:W<8>(y,2)

[U2]Pi:MB[V2]Pj:MB

[U3]Pi:R<8>(y,1)[V3]Pj:R<8>(x,1)

Analysis:

<1>

V3 reading 1 implies V3 U1, by storage and visibility.

<2>

U3 reading 1 implies U3 V1, by storage and visibility.

<3>

U1 U2 U3, by processor issue constraints.

<4>

V1 V2 V3, by processor issue constraints.

<5>

By <2>, <3>, and <4>, U1 U2 U3 V1 V2 V3.

Both <1> and <5> cannot be true, so if U3 reads 1, then V3 must read 2, and vice versa.

5–20Alpha Architecture Handbook

Page 232
Image 232
Compaq ECQD2KCTE manual Litmus Test 7 Impossible Sequence, Litmus Test 8 Impossible Sequence