• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Technipages

Smart phone, gadget and computer tutorials

  • Topics
    • Android
    • Gaming
    • Hardware
    • Internet
    • iOS
    • MacOS
    • Office
    • Software
    • Windows
    • Definitions
  • Product Reviews
  • Downloads
  • About

Pipeline Stall

Posted on August 16, 2019 by Mel Hawthorne

A pipeline stall is a type of error in a RISC or RISC-influenced processor and it delays the processing of an instruction. This type of error isn’t anything to do with user errors – as a matter of fact, this type of error happens only because of processor design. More precisely, it occurs in poorly designed processors. RISC-type processors use pipelines, which means that instructions need to be executed in a specific order.

 

 

Technipages Explains Pipeline Stall

This specific order is absolute and very precise – if a program gives a branching instruction, then they aren’t presented in an orderly fashion – instructions at the beginning work their way through the pipeline, but options that weren’t selected have to be discarded before the next ones can be processed. This generates a delay and one based on the complexity of the branches at that. More discarded options means more of a delay, and the bigger the delay, the bigger the lag in performance.

This issue is unique to RISC-based processors, as others employ different setups. These errors aren’t fatal though – after their discovery, workarounds were created and implemented. Small delays can be eliminated entirely, while bigger ones can be reduced, at the very least. This is done through branch prediction, and eventually, the implementation of out-of-order execution for certain types of processes. These new features helped maintain the viability of RISC-type processors, despite the initial design flaws of reduced instruction set computers, despite their initial purpose having been a computer that can process instructions faster by skipping unnecessary steps.

Common Uses of Pipeline Stall

  • Pipeline stalls are entirely design-flaw caused and aren’t influenced by user issues.
  • In order to resolve pipeline stalls, branch prediction was implemented.
  • The downside of RISC-processors was the potential of pipeline stalls.

Common Misuses of Pipeline Stall

  • Pipeline stalls are caused by a user executing too many functions at once.

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • How to Set Up a Recurring Meeting in Teams
  • Fix: Microsoft Teams Keeps Freezing My Computer
  • Are you having problems with the Galaxy S21 Wi-Fi? Here’s how you can fix it
  • How to Migrate Skype For Business Users To Teams
  • How to Get the Most out of Google Files App
  • Fix Microsoft Teams Channel Email Not Working
  • Microsoft Teams: Cannot Create New Folder in Files
  • Fix: Microsoft Teams Guests Can’t Chat

Who’s Behind Technipages?

Baby and Daddy My name is Mitch Bartlett. I've been working in technology for over 20 years in a wide range of tech jobs from Tech Support to Software Testing. I started this site as a technical guide for myself and it has grown into what I hope is a useful reference for all.

Follow me on Twitter, or visit my personal blog.

You May Also Like

  • Pipeline
  • Pipeline Burst Cache

© Copyright 2021 Technipages · All Rights Reserved · Privacy