Apparatus and methods to support counted loop exits in a multi-strand loop processor

• Main Authors: Ostanevich, Alexander Y, Ermolovich, Alexander V, Rozhkov, Sergey A, Scherbinin, Sergey P, Motin, Denis G, Chudnovets, Andrey, Iyer, Jayesh, Maslennikov, Dmitry, Babayan, Boris A
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 26.03.2019
• Subjects: CALCULATING; COMPUTING; COUNTING; ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING; PHYSICS

Embodiments described herein generally relate to the field of multi-strand out-of-order loop processing, and, more specifically, to apparatus and methods to support counted loop exits in a multi-strand loop processor. In one embodiment, a processor includes a loop accelerator comprising a strand documentation buffer and a plurality of strand execution circuits; and a binary translator to receive a plurality of loop instructions, divide the plurality of loop instructions into a plurality of strands, and store a strand documentation for each of the plurality of strands into the strand documentation buffer, each strand documentation indicating at least a number of iterations; wherein the binary translator further causes the loop accelerator to execute the plurality of strands asynchronously and in parallel using the plurality of strand execution circuits, wherein each of the strand execution circuits repeats the strand for the number of iterations indicated in the strand documentation associated with the strand.