Multiprocessor validation of the Pentium Pro
Marr, D.T.; Natarajan, S.; Thakkar, S.; Zucker, R.
Computer
Volume 29, Issue 11, Nov 1996 Page(s):47 - 53
Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/2.544237
Summary:In the past, multiprocessor systems have taken a year longer than
uniprocessor systems to introduce because of the need to develop and
validate the additional functionality required for multiprocessor
systems. Manufacturers, however, don't want to wait this long to release
products using the latest multiprocessor systems. Our challenge in
designing Intel's newest microprocessor, the Pentium Pro processor, was
to eliminate the lag time. We wanted to accomplish this by introducing
systems where the multiprocessor functionality was already an integral
part of the main processor and the chipset. Specifically, we wanted to
introduce the uniprocessor and the multiprocessor systems at the same
time. We thus had to make sure even before first silicon that the
multiprocessor system would work. In the past, multiprocessor system
validation has generally taken place after first silicon, because the
external logic has usually been developed after the processor
functionality integrated into the processor and chipset. Intel developed
an extensive test methodology for functional and performance validation
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