Distribution of architectural state information in a processor across multiple pipeline stages

摘要

Methods and apparatuses for distributing architectural state information in a processor across multiple pipeline stages are described. An architectural value of a register is represented by a historical value added to an update value which is maintained in a non-final pipeline stage. When an instruction requires the architectural value, a calculation is made and that value is inserted into the pipeline for processing. Recovery of both pre- and post-execution architectural state information is made possible by storing both the update value and the operation to take place on that value for each decoded instruction.