Controlling access to shared resource by issuing tickets to plurality of execution units

摘要

Access to a shared resource by a plurality of execution units is organized and controlled by issuing tickets to each execution unit as they request access to the resource. The tickets are issued by a hardware atomic unit so that each execution unit receives a unique ticket number. A current owner field indicates the ticket number of the execution unit that currently has access to the shared resource. When an execution unit has completed its access, it releases the shared resource and increments the owner field. Execution units awaiting access to the shared resource periodically check the current value of the owner field and take control of the shared resource when their respective ticket values match the owner field.