Management of polling loops in a data processing apparatus

A data processing system for managing polling loops comprises a main processing unit and a subsidiary processing unit operable to perform tasks on behalf of the main processing unit. The subsidiary processing unit sets a completion field when a task has been completed and the main processing unit po...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors RICHARD ROY GRISENTHWAITE, PAUL KIMELMAN
Format Patent
LanguageEnglish
Published 30.11.2005
Edition7
Subjects
CALCULATING
COMPUTING
COUNTING
ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
PHYSICS
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Summary:A data processing system for managing polling loops comprises a main processing unit and a subsidiary processing unit operable to perform tasks on behalf of the main processing unit. The subsidiary processing unit sets a completion field when a task has been completed and the main processing unit polls the completion field in order to determine whether the task has been completed. If after a threshold number of polls the main processing unit determines that the task has not been completed, the main processing unit enters a power saving mode. The subsidiary processing unit, when the task has been completed, causes a notification, such as an interrupt, to be issued on a path interconnecting the main processing unit and the subsidiary unit. The main processing unit is arranged, upon receipt of the notification, to awaken and exit the power saving mode. This provides an efficient technique for managing a polling loop within the data processing apparatus. Also, a multiple processor set up could be used where there is a single main processing unit and a plurality of subsidiary processing units.
Bibliography:Application Number: GB20050008005