Virtual devices using a pluarlity of processors
US7496917B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 25, 2003 |
| Grant date | Feb 24, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 7, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/544
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method is provided to allow virtual devices that use a plurality of processors in a multiprocessor systems, such as the BE environment. Using this method, a synergistic processing unit (SPU) can either be dedicated to performing a particular function (i.e., audio, video, etc.) or a single SPU can be programmed to perform several functions on behalf of the other processors in the system. The application, preferably running in one of the primary (PU) processors, issues IOCTL commands through device drivers that correspond to SPUs. The kernel managing the primary processors responds by sending an appropriate message to the SPU that is performing the dedicated function. Using this method, an SPU can be virtualized for swapping multiple tasks or dedicated to performing a particular task.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.