Patent ID: 7711903
Filing Date: 2010-05-04
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method of preloading data into a translation look-aside buffer (TLB) array, comprising: responsive to detecting, by a software preload mechanism, a write to one or more designated registers indicating a desire to preload data for an application instance, initiating the preloading of data into the TLB array using the software preload mechanism; performing the preloading of data into the TLB array using both the software preload mechanism and a hardware implemented controller that controls access to the TLB array; and managing the TLB array by the hardware implemented controller after preloading of the data into the TLB array, wherein initiating the preloading and performing the preloading are performed in response to one of an application context switch operation or an application signal indicating that a new set of translations need to be preloaded at a particular point in an execution stream of the application.