The 8088 Prefetch Algorithm #2

[GloriousCow]

I was briefly tempted to necro this thread as it is the top google hit for "8088 prefetch algorithm", but I will be good and post a new thread instead.

I believe I have figured out a somewhat simple logic behind the 8088 prefetch algorithm, and I have written a blog post covering the details:

https://martypc.blogspot.com/2023/08/the-8088-prefetch-algorithm.html

 

[chris_nh]

Excellent write-up! Thank you

 

[sergey]

Very informative and well researched. Thanks for publishing it!

 

[GloriousCow]

I have a new, completely rewritten and vastly simplified model of the 8088 bus logic and prefetch algorithm.

This new model explains all of the 8088's bus timings as a consequence of a fundamental, 7-cycle bus access time.

The Complete Bus Logic of the Intel 8088

In a previous article , I described a simple state machine to explain the prefetch behavior and miscellaneous observed bus delays of the Int...

martypc.blogspot.com