Data processing apparatus and method for saving return state

Details Data processing apparatus and method for saving return state Data processing apparatus and method for saving return state

2005-06-07

2005-06-07

Tsai, Henry W. H. (Department: 2183)

Electrical computers and digital processing systems: processing

Processing control

Context preserving (e.g., context swapping, checkpointing,...

C712S244000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06904517

ABSTRACT:
The present invention provides a data processing apparatus and method for saving return state. The data processing apparatus comprises a processing unit for executing data processing instructions, the processing unit having a plurality of modes of operation, with each mode of operation having a corresponding stack for storing data associated with that mode. The processing unit is responsive to a return state data processing instruction to write return state data of the processing unit from its current mode of operation to a stack corresponding to a different mode of operation to the current mode of operation. This approach significantly reduces code size and improves interrupt latency over known prior art techniques.

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