Memory latency tolerance in block processing pipelines

Abstract

Memory latency tolerance methods and apparatus for maintaining an overall level of performance in block processing pipelines that prefetch reference data into a search window. In a general memory latency tolerance method, search window processing in the pipeline may be monitored. If status of search window processing changes in a way that affects pipeline throughput, then pipeline processing may be modified. The modification may be performed according to no stall methods, stall recovery methods, and/or stall prevention methods. In no stall methods, a block may be processed using the data present in the search window without waiting for the missing reference data. In stall recovery methods, the pipeline is allowed to stall, and processing is modified for subsequent blocks to speed up the pipeline and catch up in throughput. In stall prevention methods, processing is adjusted in advance of the pipeline encountering a stall condition.