Apple Inc.
Asynchronous kernel

Abstract:

In an embodiment, an operating system for a computer system includes a kernel that assigns code sequences to execute on various processors. The kernel itself may execute on a processor as well. Specifically, in one embodiment, the kernel may execute on a processor with a relatively low instructions per clock (IPC) design. At least a portion of other processors in the system may have higher IPC designs, and processors with higher IPC designs may be used to execute some of the code sequences. A given code sequence executing on a processor may queue multiple messages to other code sequences, which the kernel may asynchronously read and schedule the targeted code sequences for execution in response to the messages. Rather than synchronously preparing a message and making a call to send the message, the executing code sequences may continue executing and queuing messages until the code has completed or is in need of a result from one of the messages.