Patent ID: 6560629
Filing Date: 2003-05-06
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A thread unit for processing a thread of control in a multi-thread computer system comprising a plurality of such thread units, the thread unit comprising:thread propagation control circuitry for controlling transfer of threads to and from the thread unit; thread state transfer circuitry for effecting the transfer of threads to and from the thread unit under the control of the thread propagation control circuitry; a plurality of pairs of inputs and outputs for receiving and transmitting activity signals from a respective plurality of neighbor thread units; an activity sensor for determining an activity state of the thread unit; and logic coupled to said inputs, said outputs and said activity sensor, and arranged to determine activity signals for the thread unit outputs in dependence on the activity state of the thread unit and the activity signals present at the thread unit inputs and to output the activity signals to the thread propagation control circuitry; wherein the thread unit is configured such that, when the activity state of the thread unit is BUSY, a set activity signal is presented to each of said outputs and, when the activity state of the thread unit is NOT BUSY, then respective activity signals derived from a function of the activity signals present at said inputs are presented to said outputs and wherein said activity signal conveys a scalar value that is variable between a first value corresponding to said set activity signal and a second value.