On-demand emulation via user-level exception handling
US8146106B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 31, 2007 |
| Grant date | Mar 27, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 28, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/4552
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Methods and apparatuses enable on-demand instruction emulation via user-level exception handling. A non-supported instruction triggers an exception during runtime of a program. In response to the exception, a user-level or application-level exception handler is launched, instead of a kernel-level handler. Then the exception handler can execute at the application layer instead of the kernel level. The handler identifies the instruction and emulates the instruction, where emulation of the instruction is supported by the handler. Emulating the instructions enables the program to continue execution. Repeated instruction emulation is amortized via dynamic binary translation of hot code.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.