Patent · US Expired

Function coprocessor

US5752071A · kind A · utility

48Cited by
10References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 17, 1995
Grant dateMay 12, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 17, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F9/3877
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A function coprocessor for a processor having a first type of coprocessor interface is described. The function coprocessor includes a subprocessor and program memory coupled to the subprocessor. A data memory stores data from the processor in response to a first control signal. The data memory has m ports coupled to the subprocessor for providing up to m operands to the subprocessor per clock cycle. The function coprocessor also includes a function coprocessor interface compatible with the first type of coprocessor interface for coupling to the processor. The function coprocessor interface generates the first control signal in response to interface signals received from the coprocessor interface of the processor. The function coprocessor interface provides handshake signals to the coprocessor interface of the processor including a busy signal, an error signal, and a processor extension request signal.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.