Override system and method for memory access management

Abstract

A memory management system and method are described. In one embodiment, a memory management system includes a memory management unit for virtualizing context memory storage and independently controlling access to the context memory without interference from other engine activities. The shared resource management unit overrides a stream of access denials (e.g., NACKs) associated with an access problem. The memory management system and method facilitate efficient and flexible access to memory while controlling translation between virtual and physical memory “spaces”. In one embodiment the memory management system includes a translation lookaside buffer and a fill component. The translation lookaside buffer tracks information associating a virtual memory space with a physical memory space. The fill component tracks the status of an access request progress from a plurality of engines independently and faults that occur in attempting to access a memory space

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This is a continuation and claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 591,857 entitled “Override System and Method for Memory Access Management” filed on Nov. 1, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to the field of information processing. In particular, the present invention relates to a system and method for shared resource access management.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Electronic systems and circuits have made a significant contribution towards the advancement of modern society and are utilized in a number of applications to achieve advantageous results. Numerous electronic technologies such as digital computers, calculators, audio devices, video equipment, and telephone systems have facilitated increased productivity and reduced costs in analyzing and communicating data in most areas of business, science, education and entertainment. Electronic systems provid...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]A memory management system and method are described. In one embodiment, a memory management system includes a memory management unit for virtualizing context memory storage and independently controlling access to the context memory without interference from other engine activities. The shared resource management unit overrides a stream of access denials (e.g., NACKs) associated with an access problem. The memory management system and method facilitate efficient and flexible access to memory while controlling translation between virtual and physical memory “spaces”. In one embodiment the memory management system includes a translationlookaside buffer and a fill component. The translation lookaside buffer tracks information associating a virtual memory space with a physical memory space. The fill component tracks the status of an access request progress from a plurality of engines independently and faults that occur in attempting to access a memory space.

Problems solved by technology

However, designing and building systems that efficiently access and utilize a shared resource is often challenging.

Coordinating the access to shared resources can be highly complex and resource intensive.

Traditionally, systems that have relatively large storage capacity have relatively slow access speeds and systems that have relatively fast access speeds have relatively small storage capacities.

However, errors or faults can occur during the translation between virtual memory space addressing and physical memory space addressing.

For example, when performing virtual to physical memory space translation a fault can occur when a translation map or a physical page is not resident.

Faults or errors in storing information can cause problems for continued proper operation and / or accurate results.

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