VLIW processor with data spilling means
A VLIW processor comprising: a plurality of functional units ( 1, 3 ); a distributed register file ( 4 ) comprising a plurality of segments ( 5, 7, 9 ), the distributed register file ( 4 ) being accessible by the functional units ( 1, 3 ); a communication unit ( 11 ) for communication with a memory; a communication network ( 13 ) for coupling the functional units ( 1, 3 ) and the distributed register file ( 4 ); characterized in that the VLIW processor further comprises a spilling device ( 15 ) for transferring data between the distributed register file ( 4 ) and the communication unit ( 11 ).
1. A VLIW processor comprising:
a plurality of functional units;
a distributed register file comprising a plurality of segments, the distributed register file being accessible by the functional units;
communication means for communication with a memory;
a communication network for coupling the functional units and the distributed register file;
characterized in that the VLIW processor further comprises spilling means for transferring data between the distributed register file and the communication means.
2. A VLIW processor according to claim 1 wherein:
the spilling means comprises a spill register file and a spill unit, the spill register file being accessible by the spill unit.
3. A VLIW processor according to claim 1 wherein:
at least one of the segments of the distributed register file is associated with a functional unit that is unable to pass data from the segment of the distributed register file to the spilling means, a pass unit being associated with the functional unit for passing data from the segment of the distributed register file to the spilling means.
4. A VLIW processor according to claim 1 wherein:
the communication network comprises a partially connected communication network.
5. A VLIW processor according to claim 3 wherein:
the pass unit is part of the associated functional unit.