Apple Inc.
METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DEVICE DRIVER OPERATION IN NON-KERNEL SPACE

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for device driver operation in non-kernel space. In one embodiment, an apparatus configured to configured to interface to a component device driver within non-kernel space is disclosed. The exemplary embodiment restricts device drivers to fewer privileges than kernel processes, while still providing acceptable real-time performance. In another embodiment, mechanisms for non-kernel space device driver operation are described. In one exemplary embodiment, a shared memory interface between kernel space and device drivers enables e.g., a zero-copy device driver architecture.