DRAM-Backed TLB Translation Buffer for Asynchronous Maintenance

The patent divides the translation buffer into multiple segments or levels. The first level uses a traditional TLB for fast translation of frequently accessed addresses, while the second level uses a larger, slower buffer (such as a page table walker or extended TLB) to store translations for less frequently accessed addresses. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high translation speed for common cases while expanding total storage capacity to handle large address spaces.

The patent performs maintenance operations (such as invalidation or updating of translation entries) in advance or asynchronously, rather than synchronously blocking translation operations. For example, when a page table entry is updated, the system can asynchronously update the corresponding TLB entries or mark them for invalidation, allowing translation operations to continue without stalls. This preliminary or asynchronous action maintains eventual data consistency while preserving system performance.

The patent implements a multi-functional memory structure where the same physical memory resources serve multiple purposes. The translation buffer can dynamically allocate space for address translations while also allowing the same or adjacent memory regions to be used as cache for data or instructions when not needed for translations. This multi-functionality allows the system to maximize translation efficiency when needed while preserving cache availability for other operations, eliminating the need for dedicated separate memory spaces.