Patent ID: 7649901
Filing Date: 2010-01-19
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
1. A context-selection mechanism within a microprocessor for selecting a context from a pool of contexts for processing a data packet having a header, comprising: an interface for receiving the data packet and communicating with a multi-streaming processor, said multi-streaming processor comprising a core that includes the pool of contexts; circuitry for computing input data into a value according to one or more logic rules and for selecting a context from the pool of contexts based at least in part on the value; and a loading mechanism for preloading data corresponding to the received data packet into the selected context for subsequent processing, the preloaded data including information from the data packet header; wherein computation of the input data functions to enable identification and selection of a context for packet processing according to the logic rule at the instant time such that a multitude of context selections made over a period of time facilitate balancing of load pressure on functional units housed within the multi-streaming processor core and required for packet processing.