Reduced data transfer during processor context switching

摘要

Data transfer during processor context switching is reduced, particularly in relation to a time-sharing microtasking programming model. Prior to switching context of a processor having local memory from a first to a second process, a portion of the local memory that does not require transfer to system memory for proper saving of data associated with the first process is determined. The context of the processor is then switched from the first to the second process, including transferring all of the local memory as the data associated with the first process, to system memory—except for the portion of the local memory that has been determined as not requiring saving to the system memory for proper saving of the data associated with the first process. Therefore, switching the context from the first to the second process results in a reduction of data transferred from the local memory to the system memory.

主权项

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
prior to switching context of a processor having local memory from a first process to a second process running within a same processor core of the processor, determining a portion of the local memory that does not require transfer to system memory for proper saving of data associated with the first process to the system memory including determining a first portion of the local memory as always unused by the first process during execution of the first process by the processor, a second portion of the local memory as already being identical to a corresponding portion of the system memory such that transfer is not required, and a third portion of the local memory as being shared between the first and the second process; and switching the context of the processor from the first process to the second process, including transferring all of the local memory as the data associated with the first process to the system memory, except for the first, second, and third portion of the local memory that has been determined as not requiring saving to the system memory for proper saving of the data associated with the first process to the system memory, such that switching the context of the processor from the first process to the second process results in a reduction of data transferred from the local memory of the processor to the system memory.