Pipelining and risc

What is pipelining in computer architecture?

Pipelining is a technique where multiple instruction phases are overlapped in execution to improve CPU performance.

What does RISC stand for?

RISC stands for Reduced Instruction Set Computer, a type of microprocessor architecture that uses a small set of simple instructions.

What are the benefits of pipelining?

The benefits of pipelining include increased throughput, improved CPU utilization, and reduced instruction execution time.

How does instruction fetch fit into the pipelining process?

Instruction fetch is the first stage in the pipelining process, where the processor retrieves the next instruction to be executed.

What is the significance of a RISC architecture?

RISC architecture simplifies the instruction set, allowing for faster execution of each instruction and easier performance optimization.

What are the common stages in a pipelined processor?

Common stages include instruction fetch, instruction decode, execute, memory access, and write-back.

What is a hazard in pipelining?

A hazard is a situation that prevents the next instruction in the pipeline from executing during its designated clock cycle.

What are the three types of hazards?

The three types of hazards are data hazards, control hazards, and structural hazards.

What is the purpose of pipeline stalls?

Pipeline stalls are introduced to temporarily halt the pipeline to resolve hazards, allowing the processor to synchronize execution.

How does RISC improve instruction execution?

RISC improves instruction execution by enabling faster execution cycles and reducing the cycle count per instruction.

What is the primary goal of pipelining?

The primary goal of pipelining is to increase instruction throughput by overlapping the execution of multiple instructions.

What is an instruction decode in pipelining?

Instruction decode is the second stage of pipelining, where the processor interprets the fetched instruction and prepares it for execution.

Why is RISC favored in modern processors?

RISC is favored in modern processors for its simplicity, which enables higher performance through more efficient instruction execution.

What is a data hazard in pipelining?

A data hazard occurs when an instruction depends on the result of a previous instruction that has not yet completed.

What is a control hazard?

A control hazard arises from branch instructions, where the next instruction to execute may be uncertain until the branch condition is resolved.

What role does instruction scheduling play in pipelining?

Instruction scheduling organizes the instruction execution order to minimize hazards and optimize pipeline efficiency.

How do structural hazards occur in pipelining?

Structural hazards occur when hardware resources are insufficient to support all simultaneous pipeline operations.

What are the effects of a pipeline stall?

Pipeline stalls can lead to increased overall execution time as they delay the processing of subsequent instructions.

How does RISC architecture affect compiler design?

RISC architecture requires compilers to optimize instruction sequences more efficiently to make full use of the simplified instruction set.

What is superscalar architecture in relation to pipelining?

Superscalar architecture allows multiple instructions to be issued and executed per clock cycle, enhancing the benefits of pipelining.