Method and system to perform a thread switching operation within a multithreaded processor based on detection of the absence of a flow of instruction information for a thread

Apparatus comprising:

• detection logic to detect sequencing of a predetermined quantity of instruction information of a first thread from an instruction information source within a multithreaded processor, to detect an absence of a flow of instruction information of the first thread into the instruction information source from an upstream source in a processor pipeline, and to detect that a predetermined time interval has elapsed subsequent to the detection of the absence of the flow of the instruction information;
• and
• selection logic, coupled to the detection logic, to commence sequencing of instruction information of a second thread from the instruction information source responsive to the detection of the sequencing of the predetermined quantity of the instruction information of the first thread from the instruction information source, and responsive to the detection of the elapsing of the predetermined time interval.

Apparatus comprising:

• detection means for detecting dispatch of a predetermined quantity of instruction information of a first thread from an instruction information source within a multithreaded processor, for detecting an absence of a flow of instruction information of the first thread into the instruction information source from an upstream source in a processor pipeline, and for detecting that a predetermined time interval has elapsed subsequent to the detection of the absence of the flow of the instruction information;
• and
• selection means, coupled to the detection means, for commencing dispatch of instruction information of a second thread from the instruction information source responsive to the detection of the dispatch of the predetermined quantity of the instruction information of the first thread from the instruction information source, and responsive to the detection of the elapsing of the predetermined time interval.