Register file having a plurality of sub-register files

摘要

Register files for use in an out-of-order processor that have been divided into a plurality of sub-register files. The register files also have a plurality of buffers which are each associated with one of the sub-register files. Each buffer receives and stores write operations destined for the associated sub-register file which can be later issued to the sub-register file. Specifically, each clock cycle it is determined whether there is at least one write operation in the buffer that has not been issued to the associated sub-register file. If there is at least one write operation in the buffer that has not been issued to the associated sub-register file, one of the non-issued write operations is issued to the associated sub-register file. Each sub-register file may also have an arbitration logic unit which resolves conflicts between read and write operations that want to access the associated sub-register file in the same cycle by prioritizing read operations unless a conflicting write instruction has reached commit time.

主权项

1. A register file for use in an out-of-order processor, the register file comprising:
a plurality of sub-register files, each sub-register file comprising at least one physical register; and a plurality of buffers, each buffer being associated with a sub-register file and arranged to:
receive write operations destined for the associated sub-register file;store each received write operation in the buffer;receive a write value for each write operation stored in the buffer;store each received write value in the buffer;in response to storing a write value for a particular write operation, identify that particular write operation as a waiting write operation;determine, each clock cycle, whether there is at least one waiting write operation in the buffer; andin response to determining there is at least one waiting write operation in the buffer, select one of the waiting write operations and issue the selected write operation to the associated sub-register file.