Reservation Station Merge Logic for Control Data Consolidation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current reservation stations in processors require multiple registers and data paths to manage diverse control data from various sources, leading to inefficiencies in merging and processing control data for instructions.
Innovation Solution
A reservation station with merge logic that selects and merges control data from multiple sources using bit masks, generating a single merged control data value for processing instructions, thereby eliminating the need for multiple registers and data paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple registers and data paths are used to manage control data from various sources, then the processor can handle diverse control data, but the hardware complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges control data from multiple sources into a single unified control data value using merge logic. Instead of maintaining separate registers and data paths for control data from different sources, the system combines them into one consolidated data structure, reducing hardware complexity while preserving the ability to handle diverse control data requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The merge logic acts as a universal component that can process control data from multiple different sources through a single unified interface. This multi-functional approach allows the same hardware structure to handle various control data types without requiring separate dedicated paths for each source
2Reliability
If multiple registers and data paths are used to manage control data, then control data from various sources can be preserved, but processing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By consolidating control data from multiple sources into a single unified value, the merge logic streamlines the data flow and eliminates the need to manage multiple separate data paths. This reduction in data path complexity directly improves processing efficiency while the merge logic ensures all relevant control data is preserved through systematic combination
3Reliability
If multiple registers are used to store control data from different sources, then data from each source can be maintained, but the reservation station structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces multiple separate registers with a single unified control data structure that consolidates information from all sources. The merge logic processes input from multiple sources and produces a single merged output, simplifying the reservation station structure while maintaining all necessary control data through the merging process
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments herein describe a reservation station (RS) in a processor that merges control data from multiple sources into a merged control data value. Before an instruction issues, the RS gathers and saves control data indicating how the instruction is to be executed. This control data may be saved in control registers. An instruction, however, can update many different types of status control bits in these registers. As such, the RS may store different types of control data for an instruction. Instead of the RS containing multiple registers and data paths for every type of control data, the embodiments herein describe merge logic in the RS that permits control data from different sources to be merged into a single control data value. Once the instruction is issued, the RS passes the merged control data value to an execution unit for processing.