Hardware monitor

A processor module comprising:

• a central processing unit;
• a memory coupled to the central processing unit;
• and
• a monitor configured to receive memory access addresses from the central processing unit and comprising:
• a register configured to store at least two contexts and a context change value;
• and
• a context selector configured to select at least one of the two contexts for context monitoring dependent on determining that the context change value matches a first part of the memory access address.

A processor module comprising:

• a processing unit configured to operate on instructions and process data;
• a memory configured to store instructions and data;
• and
• a monitor comprising:
• a storage device configured to store at least two contexts and a context change value;
• and
• a selection circuit configured to select at least one of the two contexts for context monitoring if the context change value matches a first part of a memory access address.

A method for monitoring memory accesses, comprising:

• storing at least two contexts and a context change value;
• determining whether the context change value matches a first part of a memory access address;
• and
• if so, selecting at least one of the two contexts for context monitoring.

A processor-readable medium encoded with instructions that, when executed by a processor, perform the following operations:

• storing at least two contexts and a context change value;
• determining whether the context change value matches a first part of a memory access address;
• and
• if so, selecting at least one of the two contexts for context monitoring.

Apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer code for one or more programs, the at least one memory and the computer code configured to operate with the at least one processor to cause the apparatus to at least perform a method comprising the steps of:

• storing at least two contexts and a context change value;
• determining whether the context change value matches a first part of a memory access address;
• and
• if so, selecting at least one of the two contexts for context monitoring.

A monitor, comprising:

• a register configured to store at least two contexts and a context change value;
• an input configured to receive a processor data write access address and an access mode indicator;
• and
• a context selector configured to select at least one of the two contexts for context monitoring when the context change value matches a first part of a processor data write access address and when a second part of the processor data write access address matches a context change value and when the access mode indicator indicates a processor is in a supervisor mode.

A method, comprising:

• storing at least two contexts and a context change value;
• receiving a processor data write access address and an access mode indicator;
• determining a first part of the data write access address matches the context change value;
• determining the access mode indicator indicates the processor is in a supervisor mode;
• and
• changing the context to a context associated with a second part of the data write access address value.

A monitor, comprising:

• a memory configured to store at least two contexts and a context change value;
• an input configured to receive a processor data write access address and an access mode indicator;
• means for determining a first part of the data write access address matches the context change value;
• means for determining the access mode indicator indicates the processor is in a supervisor mode;
• and
• means for changing the context to a context associated with a second part of the data write access address value.