Execution Stages for Cache Access

Memory access requests are passed to the cache access pipeline after the target address is calculated. Cache access stages work the same way as instruction fetch stages, except for the handling of branch prediction. See Section 6.4.1, Instruction Fetch Stages, for details. Stages in instruction fetch and cache access correspond as follows:

Instruction Fetch Stages

Cache Access

IAPs

ITTs

IMMs

IBBs

IRRs

When an exception is signalled, fetch ports and store ports used by memory access instructions are released. The cache access pipeline itself remains working in order to complete outgoing memory accesses. When data is returned, it is then stored to the cache.

6.4.4Completion Stages

U (Update) — Update of physical (renamed) register.

W (Write) — Update of architectural registers and retire; exception handling.

After an out-of-order execution, execution reverts to program order to complete. Exception handling is done in the completion stages. Exceptions occurring in

execution stages are not handled immediately but are signalled when the instruction is completed.1

1. RAS-related exception may be signalled before completion.

34 SPARC JPS1 Implementation Supplement: Fujitsu SPARC64 V • Release 1.0, 1 July 2002

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Fujitsu Fujitsu SPARC64 V manual Completion Stages, Execution Stages for Cache Access