Group and virtual locking mechanism for inter processor synchronization

A method for accessing a shared resource of a processor, comprising:

• associating a plurality of threads of execution with a lock controller;
• executing a lock instruction, the lock instruction executed by a particular thread of execution of the plurality of threads of execution when the particular thread requires a lock in the shared resource, the lock instruction cooperating with the lock controller to generate a lock request to the shared resource;
• and
• merging the lock request with group information from other threads of execution requesting a lock, the lock controller thereby managing requests by the plurality of threads of execution for the shared resource.

Apparatus for enabling a plurality of threads of execution to simultaneously access a shared resource of a programmable processor, comprising:

• means for associating the plurality of threads of execution with a lock controller;
• means for executing a lock instruction, the lock instruction executed by a particular thread of execution of the plurality of threads of execution when the particular thread requires a lock in the shared resource, the lock instruction cooperating with the lock controller to generate a lock request to the shared resource;
• and
• means for merging the lock request with group information from other threads of execution requesting a lock, the lock controller thereby managing requests by the plurality of threads of execution for the shared resource.