Method and apparatus for counting instruction types using bit masks and a programmable bit map
US5388233A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 30, 1993 |
| Grant date | Feb 7, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 30, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2201/88
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A counter for counting instructions is implemented in a computer system having a processor in which instructions are fetched for potential execution. Each instruction is characterized by at least one instruction attribute. The counter includes at least one bit map register for storing a bit map. Each map bit position in the bit map represents a particular instruction attribute. Map bits at predetermined map bit positions are set. A bit mask register stores a bit mask corresponding to a fetched instruction. Each mask bit position in the bit mask represents a particular instruction attribute. A mask bit at a mask bit position is set if the mask bit position represents an instruction attribute of the fetched instruction. Logic circuitry increments a count value associated with a bit map based upon a comparison of the bit map with the bit mask.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.