ltr

Load Task Register

LTR r/m16

Loads Task Register (Privileged).

Details

Loads a 16-bit Task Register selector from a register or memory operand. This privileged instruction (CPL=0 only) loads the TR register with a task gate descriptor selector, initiating task switching if the selector points to a valid TSS descriptor. No flags are affected.

Pseudocode Operation

TR ← source[15:0]; (task switch occurs if source is valid TSS selector)

Example

LTR bx

Encoding

Binary Layout
0F
+0
00
+1
ModRM
+2
 
Format System
Opcode 0F 00 /3
Extension System

Operands

  • dest
    16-bit register or memory

Reference (Intel® SDM)

Instruction Forms

Opcode Instruction Op/En 64/32-bit Mode CPUID Description
0F 00 /3 LTR r/m16 M Valid Valid Load r/m16 into task register.

Description

Loads the source operand into the segment selector field of the task register. The source operand (a generalpurpose register or a memory location) contains a segment selector that points to a task state segment (TSS). After the segment selector is loaded in the task register, the processor uses the segment selector to locate the segment descriptor for the TSS in the global descriptor table (GDT). It then loads the segment limit and base address for the TSS from the segment descriptor into the task register. The task pointed to by the task register is marked busy, but a switch to the task does not occur. The LTR instruction is provided for use in operating-system software; it should not be used in application programs. It can only be executed in protected mode when the CPL is 0. It is commonly used in initialization code to establish the first task to be executed. The operand-size attribute has no effect on this instruction. In 64-bit mode, the operand size is still fixed at 16 bits. The instruction references a 16-byte descriptor to load the 64-bit base.

Operation

IF SRC is a NULL selector
THEN #GP(0);
IF SRC(Offset) > descriptor table limit OR IF SRC(type) ≠ global
THEN #GP(segment selector); FI;
Read segment descriptor;
IF segment descriptor is not for an available TSS
THEN #GP(segment selector); FI;
IF segment descriptor is not present
THEN #NP(segment selector); FI;
TSSsegmentDescriptor(busy) := 1;
(* Locked read-modify-write operation on the entire descriptor when setting busy flag *)
TaskRegister(SegmentSelector) := SRC;
TaskRegister(SegmentDescriptor) := TSSSegmentDescriptor;

Flags Affected

None. LTR—Load Task Register Vol. 2A 3-576

Exceptions

Protected Mode Exceptions

#GP(0) If the current privilege level is not 0. If a memory operand effective address is outside the CS, DS, ES, FS, or GS segment limit. If the source operand contains a NULL segment selector. If the DS, ES, FS, or GS register is used to access memory and it contains a NULL segment selector. #GP(selector) If the source selector points to a segment that is not a TSS or to one for a task that is already busy. If the selector points to LDT or is beyond the GDT limit. #NP(selector) If the TSS descriptor is marked not present. #SS(0) If a memory operand effective address is outside the SS segment limit. #PF(fault-code) If a page fault occurs. #UD If the LOCK prefix is used.

Real-Address Mode Exceptions

#UD The LTR instruction is not recognized in real-address mode.

Virtual-8086 Mode Exceptions

#UD The LTR instruction is not recognized in virtual-8086 mode.

Compatibility Mode Exceptions

Same exceptions as in protected mode, as well as the following: #GP(selector) If the source selector points to a 16-bit TSS.

64-Bit Mode Exceptions

#SS(0) If a memory address referencing the SS segment is in a non-canonical form. #GP(0) If the current privilege level is not 0. If the memory address is in a non-canonical form. If the source operand contains a NULL segment selector. #GP(selector) If the source selector points to a segment that is not a TSS, to a 16-bit TSS, or to a TSS for a task that is already busy. If the selector points to LDT or is beyond the GDT limit. If the descriptor type of the upper 8-byte of the 16-byte descriptor is non-zero. #NP(selector) If the TSS descriptor is marked not present. #PF(fault-code) If a page fault occurs. #UD If the LOCK prefix is used. LTR—Load Task Register Vol. 2A 3-577