Managing memory regions to support sparse mappings

A computer-implemented method for managing sparse mappings, the method comprising:

• accessing a page table having a plurality of page table entries, wherein the page table is included in a memory;
• selecting a first page table entry included in the plurality of page table entries based on a first virtual memory address included in a first memory access request;
• determining that the first page table entry does not include a first mapping associated with the first virtual memory address;
• determining that the first page table entry is associated with an active sparse status;
• setting a physical memory address requested for the first virtual memory address to a first physical memory address if the first memory access request comprises a write operation involving the first virtual memory address;
• setting the physical memory address requested for the first virtual memory address to a second physical memory address if the first memory access request comprises a non-write operation involving the first virtual memory address;
• and
• generating an acknowledgement of the first request;
• generate an acknowledgement of the first memory access request.

A computing device, comprising:

• a processor;
• a memory coupled to the processor and including a page table having a plurality of page table entries;
• and
• a memory management unit associated with the processor for manacling sparse mappings and configured to:
• select a first page table entry included in the plurality of page table entries based on a first virtual memory address included in a first memory access request,
• determine that the first page table entry does not include a mapping associated with the first virtual memory address,
• determine that the first page table entry is associated with an active sparse status,
• set a physical memory address requested for the first virtual memory address to a first physical memory address if the first memory access request comprises a write operation involving the first virtual memory address,
• set the physical memory address requested for the first virtual memory address to a second physical memory address if the first memory access request comprises a non-write operation involving the first virtual memory address, and
• generate an acknowledgement of the first memory access request.