memory management unit (MMU)

A memory management unit (MMU) is a computer  component that handles all  and  operations associated with the . In other words, the MMU is responsible for all aspects of . It is usually integrated into the processor, although in some systems it occupies a separate IC (integrated circuit) chip.

The work of the MMU can be divided into three major categories:

• Hardware memory management, which oversees and regulates the processor's use of  (random access memory) and cache memory.
•  (operating system) memory management, which ensures the availability of adequate memory resources for the  and  of each running  at all times.
•  memory management, which allocates each individual program's required memory, and then recycles freed-up memory space when the operation concludes.