一份很有趣的AMD patent

CACHING OF MICROCODE EMULATION MEMORY (AMD)

A processor includes a cache hierarchy including a level-1 cache and a higher-level cache. The processor maps a portion of physical memory space to a portion of the higher-level cache, executes instructions, at least some of which comprise microcode, allows microcode to access the portion of the higher-level cache, and prevents instructions that do not comprise microcode from accessing the portion of the higher-level cache. The first portion of the physical memory space can be permanently allocated for use by microcode. The processor can move one or more cache lines of the first portion of the higher-level cache from the higher-level cache to a first portion of the level-1 cache, allow microcode to access the first portion of the first level-1 cache, and prevent instructions that do not comprise microcode from accessing the first portion of the first level-1 cache.

隱約聞到IBM Power4/5/6的味道，如果這patent真的和Bulldozer或Bobcat有關，那就太歡樂了，因為假使Bulldozer/Bobcat採用和Power4/5/6相似的datapath結構，這玩意幾乎是必備品。

對了，對唯恐天下不亂的分析師和想騙稿費的技術編輯來說，這兩篇專利其實暗藏很多可借題發揮的玄機。不過嘛...嘿嘿嘿。