Method and apparatus for preloading different default address translation attributes
First Claim
1. An apparatus for use in a computer system, said apparatus comprising:
- an address translation unit configured to store a plurality of translations for translating virtual addresses into physical addresses, each of said translations including an attribute field to define an attribute for its translation;
a default translation attribute storage unit configured to store a plurality of default translation attributes, each of the default translation attributes being associated with a selected set of virtual addresses and utilized when a translation for a particular virtual address is not present in said address translation unit; and
a preload unit coupled to said default translation attribute storage unit and said address translation unit for preloading a corresponding default translation attribute for use by said address translation unit, but having the default translation attribute replaced if not correct for the translation of the particular virtual address.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for streamlining the installation of virtual to physical address translations into a translation unit. According to one aspect of the invention, an apparatus for use in a computer system is provided that generally includes a translation unit, a default attribute storage area, and a preload unit. The translation unit stores translations for translating virtual addresses into physical addresses, and each of these translations includes an attribute field. The default translation attribute storage area stores a number of default translation attributes. The preload unit is coupled to the default translation unit and the translation unit. In response to receiving a signal from the translation unit indicating a translation for a virtual address is not stored in the translation unit, the preload unit transmits the appropriate default translation attribute to the translation unit.
167 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus for use in a computer system, said apparatus comprising:
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an address translation unit configured to store a plurality of translations for translating virtual addresses into physical addresses, each of said translations including an attribute field to define an attribute for its translation; a default translation attribute storage unit configured to store a plurality of default translation attributes, each of the default translation attributes being associated with a selected set of virtual addresses and utilized when a translation for a particular virtual address is not present in said address translation unit; and a preload unit coupled to said default translation attribute storage unit and said address translation unit for preloading a corresponding default translation attribute for use by said address translation unit, but having the default translation attribute replaced if not correct for the translation of the particular virtual address. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A processor comprising:
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a translation look-aside buffer for translating a virtual address into a physical address; a translation look-aside buffer installation storage unit coupled to said translation look-aside buffer and including a translation attribute field to define an attribute when translating the virtual address to the physical address; a set of registers, each including a default translation attribute field; and a preload unit coupled to said set of registers and said translation look-aside buffer installation storage unit for preloading a corresponding default translation attribute field for use by said translation look-aside buffer installation storage unit for installation into said translation look-aside buffer, but having the default translation attribute field replaced if not correct for the translation of the virtual address. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A computer system comprising:
a processor including, a translation look-aside buffer for translating a virtual address into a physical address, a translation look-aside buffer installation storage unit coupled to said translation look-aside buffer and including a translation attribute field to define an attribute when translating the virtual address to the physical address, a set of registers, each register including a default translation attribute field, and a preload unit coupled to said set of registers and said translation look-aside buffer installation storage unit for preloading a corresponding default translation attribute field for use by said translation look-aside buffer installation storage unit for installation into said translation look-aside buffer, but having he default translation attribute field replaced if not correct for the translation of the virtual address; and a memory coupled to said processor which is accessed by the physical address generated by the processor. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for preloading a translation attribute field for use when translating a virtual address to a physical address comprising:
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detecting if a translation for the virtual address is presently available; selecting one of a plurality of stored default translation attributes as a corresponding default translation attribute for the translation attribute field; preloading the corresponding default translation attribute when the translation of the virtual address is not presently available to generate a new translation; using the preloaded default translation attribute if correct, but if not, overwriting it with the correct translation attribute. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification