Method and system of implementing an early data dependency resolution

Abstract

A method and system of implementing an early data dependency resolution mechanism for a high-performance data processing system that utilizes out-of-order instruction issue is disclosed. In accordance with the present disclosure, an instruction cache and a register-dependency cache are provided. The instruction cache has multiple cache lines, and each of these cache lines is capable of storing multiple instructions. The register-dependency cache contains an identical number of cache lines as in the instruction cache, and each of the cache lines within the register-dependency cache is capable of storing an identical number of register-dependency units as instructions in each of the cache lines within the instruction cache. In a single processor cycle, a group of register-dependency units are fetched from the register-dependency cache. All register-dependency units that have no forward data dependency within the group of register-dependency units are identified utilizing an Instruction Dispatch Unit. Each of the identified register-dependency units is then translated to its respective instruction utilizing a corresponding cache line within the instruction cache. All of the translated instructions are issued within a next processor cycle.