Out-of-order processor that avoids deadlock in processing queues by designating a most favored instruction

US10169046B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• International Business Machines Corporation · US

Inventors

• Maarten J. Boersma · Holzgerlingen, DE
• Robert A. Cordes · Austin, US
• David A. Hrusecky · Johnson City, US
• Jennifer L. Molnar · Cedar Park, US
• Brian W. Thompto · Austin, US
• Albert J. Van Norstrand, Jr. · Round Rock, US
• Kenneth L. Ward · Austin, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 31, 2017
• Grant date: Jan 1, 2019
• Expiry date: Aug 31, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06F2212/452
• WIPO field: Computer technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

An instruction sequencing unit in an out-of-order (OOO) processor includes a Most Favored Instruction (MFI) mechanism that designates an instruction as an MFI. The processing queues in the processor identify when they contain the MFI, and assures processing the MFI. The MFI remains the MFI until it is completed or is flushed, and which time the MFI mechanism selects the next MFI.