CONTEXT SWITCH METHOD AND APPARATUS

摘要

A method for switching from a first context to a second context on a processor having a pipeline with a predetermined depth is provided. A first task in the first context is executed on the processor so that the first task traverses the pipeline. A context switch is invoked by asserting a switch lead (force_pcz, force_ctxz) for the processor through a changing a state of signal on the switch lead (force_pcz, force_ctxz). The second context for a second task is read from a save/restore memory. The second context for the second task is provided to the processor over an input lead (new_ctx, new_pc). Instructions corresponding to the second task are fetched. The second task in the second context is executed on the processor, a save/restore lead (cmem_wrz) on the processor is asserted after the first task has traversed the pipeline to its predetermined pipeline depth.