High performance register file with overlapping windows
US5226142A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 21, 1990 |
| Grant date | Jul 6, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 21, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C8/16
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A register file within a central processing unit which processes operations on operands stored in the register file is disclosed. The register file includes a plurality of memory locations and each of the memory locations provides the physical storage for one or more registers. Each memory location stores one of the operands. The register file also includes a plurality of windows and each of the windows provides a unique mapping of the same set of registers to an equal number of memory location and each window includes the same quantity of one or more registers. A pointer points to one of the windows of the register file for indicating which window is currently active. Each of the memory locations is coupled to at least one multiplexer. The active memory locations of the active window, currently assigned to provide storage for the registers, simultaneously output to the at least one multiplexer the operands stored in the registers. Each of the at least one multiplexers obtains one of the operands of the active window and outputs the operand to the central processing unit for processing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.