Scheduling operations using a dependency matrix

A method of scheduling an operation in a processor, comprising:

• receiving a first operation to be scheduled;
• placing an entry corresponding to the first operation in a scheduling queue;
• comparing the first operation with other entries in the scheduling queue to determine if another entry corresponds to a parent operation of the first operation;
• storing the result of said comparison in a dependency matrix;
• scheduling the entry in the scheduling queue based at least in part upon on the information stored in the dependency matrix;
• using a ready determination unit for determining if the scheduled entry is ready for dispatch;
• and
• scheduling dispatch of the scheduled entry according to a priority logic unit.

A method of scheduling a micro-operation in a processor, the newly issued micro-operation having a source and a destination, comprising:

• allocating the micro-operation to an entry in a scheduling queue;
• comparing the source of the allocated micro-operation with destinations of pending microoperations in the scheduling queue;
• setting up a dependency matrix row associated with the entry ofthe allocated micro-operation based on the results of said comparison, each column in the dependency matrix being associated with an entry in the scheduling queue;
• and using a ready determination unit for determining if the allocated micro-operation is ready for dispatch based on the information in the dependency matrix row associated with that entry;
• and
• scheduling a dispatch order forthe allocated micro-operation according to a priority logic unit.

An article of manufacture comprising a computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions adapted to be executed by a processor, the instructions which, when executed, cause the processor to schedule an operation by:

• receiving an operation to be scheduled;
• determining that the received operation is dependent on the completion of a parent operation;
• scheduling the received operation based at least in part upon said determining;
• using a ready determination unit for determining if the received operation is ready for dispatch;
• and
• scheduling dispatch of the received operation according to a priority logic unit.

An article of manufacture comprising a computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions adapted to be executed by a processor, the instructions which, when executed, cause the processor to schedule an operation by:

• receiving a first operation to be scheduled;
• placing an entry corresponding to the first operation in a scheduling queue;
• comparing the first operation with other entries in the scheduling queue to determine if another entry corresponds to a parent operation of the first operation;
• storing the result of said comparison in a dependency matrix;
• scheduling an entry in the scheduling queue based on the information stored in the dependency matrix;
• using a ready determination unit for determining if the scheduled entry is ready for dispatch;
• and
• scheduling dispatch of the scheduled entry according to a priority logic unit.