Report Number: CSL-TR-94-657
Institution: Stanford University, Computer Systems Laboratory
Title: Instruction Level Parallel Processors---A New Architectural Model for Simulation and Analysis
Author: Rudd, Kevin W.
Date: December 1994
Abstract: Trends in high-performance computer architecture have led to the development of increased clock-rate and dynamic multiple-instruction issue processor designs. There have been problems combining both these techniques due to the pressure that the complex scheduling and issue logic puts on the cycle time. This problem has limited the performance of multiple-instruction issue architectures. The alternative approach of static multiple-operation issue avoids the clock-rate problem by allowing the hardware to concurrently issue only those operations that the compiler scheduled to be issued concurrently. Since there is no hardware support required to achieve multiple-operation issue (there are multiple operations in a single instruction and the hardware issues a single instruction at a time), these designs can be effectively scaled to high clock rates. However, these designs have the problem that the scheduling of operations into instructions is rigid and to increase the performance of the system the entire system must be scaled uniformly so that the static schedule is not compromised. This report describes an architectural model that allows a range of hybrid architectures to be studied.
http://i.stanford.edu/pub/cstr/reports/csl/tr/94/657/CSL-TR-94-657.pdf