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Processors

processor and super scalar processor ...defined with well definition

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13 views13 pages

Processors

processor and super scalar processor ...defined with well definition

Uploaded by

gupta90vanshika
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Processors

Scalar and superscalar


A scalar processor acts on one piece of data at a
time. MIPS pipelined processor is a scalar
processor.
A vector processor acts on several pieces of data
with a single instruction.
A superscalar processor issues several
instructions at a time, each of which operates on
one piece of data.
ARM pipelined processor is a scalar processor.
Scalar processors
Scalar processors are the most basic type of
processor. These usually process just one item at a
time, typically integers or floating point numbers.
Floating point numbers are numbers that are either
too large or small to be represented by integers.
According to the scalar system of ordering
information, each instruction is handled
sequentially. As a result, scalar processing can take
up some time.
Vector Processors
Vector processors typically operate on an array of
data points. This means that rather than handling
each item individually, multiple items that all have
the same instruction can be completed at once.
This can save time over scalar processing, but also
adds complexity to a system; this can and often
does slow other functions.
Vector processing usually works best when there is
a large amount of data to be processed. In these
instances, groups of data and individual data sets
can be handled by one instruction.
Superscalar processor
A superscalar processor can independently execute
multiple instructions at once during a single clock cycle.
It includes redundant execution resources, such as
multiple floating-point units, arithmetic logic units and
integer shifters.
This type of processor is designed for parallel
computing and speculative execution without the need
for special software.
It can improve the execution speed of many processor-
intensive applications by manipulating and rearranging
code. It is frequently used in several classes of computers,
including servers, desktops and even laptops.
Although some aspects of the architecture have been used in
processors since the 1960s, true superscalar processors were
not released until much later.
Some Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) processors
sold in the late 1980s and early 1990s were superscalar. Their
simple cores and fixed-length instructions made dispatching
and scheduling of parallel instructions relatively easy.
Many non-RISC processors manufactured since the late 1990s
have superscalar architectures as well. Embedded, low-power
and other specialty processors are often exceptions, optimizing
other aspects of their designs instead of parallel execution.
A key feature of a superscalar processor is its ability
to execute program code out of order for efficiency
reasons.
To do this, it must be aware of any instruction's
dependencies upon another. If an instruction affects
the results of or uses the resources of another, it is
highly likely that the two must not be executed in
parallel.
Techniques exist to eliminate some types of
dependencies, but others must delay processing until
resources are available.
Out-of-order execution must also be able to
guarantee proper contents of registers, flags and
other resources if a system interrupt occurs. In this
case, the system state must look the same, as if the
code had been executed sequentially as designed.
Another consideration is how many instructions the
processor should examine to find opportunities for
parallel execution. The greater the number, the more
efficient the execution can be. This also includes
speculative execution of instructions on the other
side of each branch in the examined code.
From Scalar to Super Scalar Pipelines
Diversified Pipelines
Dynamic Pipelines
SuperScalar Processor
A more aggressive approach is to equip the
processor with multiple processing units to handle
several instructions in parallel in each processing
stage.
With this arrangement, several instructions start
execution in the same clock cycle and the process is
said to use multiple issue.
Such processors are capable of achieving an
instruction execution throughput of more than one
instruction per cycle. They are known as
‘Superscalar Processors’.

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