System and method for supporting context switching within a multiprocessor system having functional blocks that generate state programs with coded register load instructions

摘要

A context switching system for saving, restoring or swapping tasks, and is adapted for use in a multitasking processor coupled to an external or system memory. The processor includes one or more functional blocks to perform the tasks. The functional blocks comprise registers that store state data that, at a particular instant, represents the context of the system. The system comprises a controller that receives a save or switch command and generates a context save instruction in response thereto. The controller is configured to pass the context save instruction to the functional blocks. The functional blocks generate a state program. The state program comprises one or more register load instructions and the state data representing the context of the system so that context can be restored at a later time. The state program is stored in an external or system memory. Saving context as state programs permits the system to quickly switch from one context to another without losing important information.