Fujitsu Fujitsu SPARC64 V manual Memory Models, Sparc V9 Memory Model on

Models: Fujitsu SPARC64 V

1 255
Download 255 pages 53.5 Kb
Page 52
Image 52

F. C H A P T E R 8

Memory Models

The SPARC V9 architecture is a model that specifies the behavior observable by software on SPARC V9 systems. Therefore, access to memory can be implemented in any manner, as long as the behavior observed by software conforms to that of the models described in Chapter 8 of Commonality and defined in Appendix D, Formal Specification of the Memory Models, also in Commonality.

The SPARC V9 architecture defines three different memory models: Total Store Order (TSO), Partial Store Order (PSO), and Relaxed Memory Order (RMO). All SPARC V9 processors must provide Total Store Order (or a more strongly ordered model, for example, Sequential Consistency) to ensure SPARC V8 compatibility.

Whether the PSO or RMO models are supported by SPARC V9 systems is implementation dependent; SPARC64 V behaves in a manner that guarantees adherence to whichever memory model is currently in effect.

This chapter describes the following major SPARC64 V-specific details of memory models.

SPARC V9 Memory Model on page 42

For general information, please see parallel subsections of Chapter 8 in Commonality. For easier referencing, this chapter follows the organization of Chapter 8 in Commonality, listing subsections whether or not there are implementation-specific details.

41

Page 52
Image 52
Fujitsu Fujitsu SPARC64 V manual Memory Models, Sparc V9 Memory Model on