Hierarchical priority filter with integrated serialization for determining the entry with the highest priority in a buffer memory

摘要

A storage device and a method for determining the entry with the highest priority in a buffer memory. The method is characterized by the steps of operating a plurality of priority subfilter circuits each of them covering a disjunct subgroup of the total of entries and each selecting the entry with the highest subgroup priority, and selecting the entry associated with the highest priority subgroup. The storage device is able to be allocated and deallocated repeatedly during processing program instructions in a computer system. The storage device is further characterized by an operator for operating a plurality of priority subfilter circuits. Each of priority subfilter circuits covers a disjunct subgroup of the total of entries and each selecting the entry with the highest subgroup priority. The storage device is still further characterized by a selector for selecting the entry associated with the highest priority subgroup.