Migration of data to register file cache

摘要

Methods and migration units for use in out-of-order processors for migrating data to register file caches associated with functional units of the processor to satisfy register read operations. The migration unit receives register read operations to be executed for a particular functional unit. The migration unit reviews entries in a register renaming table to determine if the particular functional unit has recently accessed the source register and thus is likely to comprise an entry for the source register in its register file cache. In particular, the register renaming table comprises entries for physical registers that indicate what functional units have accessed the physical register. If the particular functional unit has not accessed the particular physical register the migration unit migrates data to the register file cache associated with the particular functional unit.

主权项

1. A method of migrating data to a register file cache, the method comprising:
receiving at a migration unit a register read operation to be executed by a particular functional unit of a plurality of functional units, the register read operation specifying a particular physical register of a plurality of physical registers to be read; querying a register file cache associated with the particular functional unit to determine if the register file cache currently comprises data for the particular physical register; and in response to determining the register file cache associated with the particular functional unit does not currently comprise data for the particular physical register, migrating data to the register file cache associated with the particular functional unit.