Time monitoring in a processing element and use

摘要

System and method for controlling thread execution via time monitoring circuitry in a processing element. Execution of a thread may be suspended via a thread suspend/resume logic block included in the processing element in response to a received suspend thread instruction. An indication of a wakeup time may be received to a time monitoring circuit (TMC) included in the processing element. Time may be monitored via the TMC using a clock included in the processing element, until the wakeup time obtains. The thread suspend/resume logic block included in the processing element may be invoked by the TMC in response to the wakeup time obtaining, thereby resuming execution of the thread.

主权项

1. A system comprising:
a processing element, comprising:
a clock;a thread suspend/resume logic block, configured to suspend execution of a thread in response to a received suspend thread instruction; anda time monitor circuit (TMC); and a local reference clock, coupled to the processing element and to a peripheral device; wherein the TMC is configured to:
receive an indication of a wakeup time;monitor time via the clock until the wakeup time obtains; andinvoke the thread suspend/resume logic block to resume execution of the thread in response to the wakeup time obtaining; wherein the TMC is further configured to discipline the clock via an external time source, wherein to discipline the clock via an external time source, the TMC is configured to discipline the clock using a global time provided by software, wherein the peripheral device is configured to provide the global time to the processing element; wherein to provide the global time, the software is executable to retrieve a local reference time from the local reference clock that corresponds to the global time, and provide the global time and the local reference time to the processing element; and wherein to discipline the clock, the TMC is configured to retrieve a subsequent local reference time from the local reference clock, and adjust the global time based on a difference between the subsequent local reference time and the local reference time, thereby compensating for latency due to the provision of the global time by the software.