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:
storing in a register renaming table an entry for each of a plurality of physical registers, each entry comprising information indicating each functional unit of a plurality of functional units that has accessed the physical register; receiving at a migration unit a register read operation to be executed for a particular functional unit, the register read operation specifying a particular physical register to be read; reviewing the entries in the register renaming table at the migration unit to determine whether the particular functional unit has accessed the particular physical register; and in response to determining the particular functional unit has not accessed the particular physical register, migrating data to a register file cache associated with the particular functional unit.