Mechanism for data forwarding

Abstract

A system and method are disclosed which allow unstored computed results to be accessed without the normal overhead associated with traditional data forwarding and bypass techniques. Through the use of multiplexers and bi-directional OR controllers the unstored data is readily accessible for use before it is stored in a register file. The circuitry used also allows bi-directional travel across a register file or bank as information is passed between the bi-directional controllers used. Latches can also be used in the circuitry. Additionally, the features of the invention allow the required number of select signals fed to the multiplexers used to be reduced over conventional methods. These reductions are possible through circuitry disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A circuit to access unstored data comprising: 
 a register file;    a first bi-directional OR controller connected to said register file;    a first multiplexer having a first input connected to an output of said first bi-directional OR controller;    a second bi-directional OR controller connected to said register file;    a second multiplexer having a first input connected to an output of said second bi-directional OR controller; and    a control circuit connected to said first bi-directional OR controller and said second bi-directional OR controller.    
     
     
         2 . A circuit according to  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a first latch having an output connected to a first input of said first bi-directional OR controller; and  
 a second latch having an output connected to a first input to said second bi-directional OR controller.  
 
     
     
         3 . A circuit according to  claim 2  further comprising: 
 a first functional unit having a first output connected to a second input to said first multiplexer and having a second output connected to an input to said first latch.  
 
     
     
         4 . A circuit according to  claim 3  further comprising: 
 a second functional unit having a first output connected to a second input of said second multiplexer and having a second output connected to an input of said second latch.  
 
     
     
         5 . A circuit according to  claim 4  wherein: 
 said first multiplexer is part of a first data forwarding circuit; and  
 said second multiplexer is part of a second data forwarding circuit.  
 
     
     
         6 . A circuit according to  claim 5  wherein said control circuit determines whether the output from said first bi-directional OR controller is sent across said register file to said second bi-directional OR controller or if the output from said second bi-directional OR controller is sent across said file register to said first bi-directional OR controller.  
     
     
         7 . A circuit according to  claim 6  wherein said first bi-directional OR controller is a first bi-directional wired OR controller; and 
 said second bi-directional OR controller is a second bi-directional wired OR controller.  
 
     
     
         8 . A circuit according to  claim 6  wherein said first bi-directional OR controller is a first bi-directional wired OR controller; and 
 said second bi-directional OR controller is a second bi-directional wired OR controller.  
 
     
     
         9 . A circuit according to  claim 6  further comprising: 
 one or more latches between a source of unstored data and said first bi-directional OR controller.  
 
     
     
         10 . A circuit according to  claim 8  further comprising: 
 one or more latches between a source of unstored data and said second bi-directional OR controller.  
 
     
     
         11 . The circuit according to  claim 6  further comprising: 
 one or more latches between a source of unstored data and said first bi-directional controller; and  
 one or more latches between a source of unstored data and said second bi-directional controller.  
 
     
     
         12 . A circuit according to  claim 6  further comprising: 
 one or more additional bi-directional OR controllers having a bi-directional connection across said register file.  
 
     
     
         13 . A circuit according to  claim 6  further comprising: 
 one or more additional bi-directional OR controllers having a bi-directional connection to said first bi-directional OR controller or to said second bi-directional OR controller wherein the connection does not go across said register file.  
 
     
     
         14 . An encoded multiplexer comprising: 
 a first input with at least one instance;    a second input with at least one instance;    a first raw select signal with at least one instance;    a second raw select signal with at least one instance; and    a circuit which combines said first raw select signal and said second raw select signal to determine which input should be used as a first conditioned select signal and a second conditioned select signal.    
     
     
         15 . An encoded multiplexer according to  claim 14  wherein said circuit comprises: 
 an OR gate having said first raw select signal as an input;  
 an invertor having an input connected to an output of said OR gate; and  
 a nand gate having a first nand input connected to an output of said invertor and a second nand input connected to said second raw select signal input.  
 
     
     
         16 . An encoded multiplexer according to  claim 15  wherein said first conditioned select signal is connected to said first raw select signal; and 
 said second conditioned select signal is connected to the output of the nand gate.  
 
     
     
         17 . An encoded multiplexer according to  claim 16  wherein said first raw select signal is connected to the select signal from a previous cycle; and 
 said second raw select signal is connected to the select signal from the cycle before the previous cycle.  
 
     
     
         18 . An encoded multiplexer comprising: 
 a first input with at least one instance;    a second input with at least one instance;    a first raw select signal with at least one instance;    a second raw select signal with at least one instance; and    a circuit which combines said first raw select signal and said second raw select signal to determine which input should be used as a first conditioned select signal, a second conditioned select signal and a third conditioned select signal.    
     
     
         19 . An encoded multiplexer according to  claim 18  wherein said circuit comprising: 
 a first NAND gate having an input A connected to said second raw select input;  
 a first OR gate having an input B connected to said first raw select input and an input C connected to an output of said first NAND gate;  
 a second OR gate having an input D connected to said first raw select input;  
 a invertor having an input connected to the output of said second OR gate; and  
 said first NAND gate having an input E connected to an output of said invertor.  
 
     
     
         20 . An encoded multiplexer according to  claim 19  wherein said first conditioned select signal is connected to a current select signal; 
 said second conditioned select signal is connected to an output of said second OR gate; and  
 said third conditioned select signal is connected to an output of said invertor.