System and Method for an Asynchronous Processor with Asynchronous Instruction Fetch, Decode, and Issue

摘要

Embodiments are provided for an asynchronous processor with an asynchronous Instruction fetch, decode, and issue unit. The asynchronous processor comprises an execution unit for asynchronous execution of a plurality of instructions, and a fetch, decode and issue unit configured for asynchronous decoding of the instructions. The fetch, decode and issue unit comprises a plurality of resources supporting functions of the fetch, decode and issue unit, and a plurality of decoders arranged in a predefined order for passing a plurality of tokens. The tokens control access of the decoders to the resources and allow the decoders exclusive access to the resources. The fetch, decode and issue unit also comprises an issuer unit for issuing the instructions from the decoders to the execution unit

主权项

1. A method performed by an asynchronous processor, the method comprising:
receiving, at a decoder in a plurality of decoders in a token based fetch, decode, and issue unit of the asynchronous processor, a token enabling exclusive access to a corresponding resource for the token based fetch, decode and issue unit; holding the token at the decoder; accessing the corresponding resource; performing, using the corresponding resource, a function on an instruction received by the decoder; and upon completing the function, releasing, at the decoder, the token to other decoders.