Apparatus and method for issue grouping of instructions in a VLIW processor
US6684320B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 28, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jan 27, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 28, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/3853
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and method for issue grouping of instructions in a VLIW processor is disclosed. There can be one, two, or three issue groups (but no greater than three issue groups) in each VLIW packet. In one embodiment, a template in the VLIW packet comprises two issue group end markers where each issue group end marker comprises three bits. The three bits in the first issue group end marker identifies the instruction which is the last instruction in the first issue group. Likewise, the three bits in the second issue group end marker identifies the instruction which is the last instruction in the second issue group. Any instructions in the VLIW packet falling outside the two expressly defined first and second issue groups are placed in a third issue group. As such, three issue groups can be identified by use of the two issue group end markers. In one embodiment, the template of the VLIW packet includes a chaining bit. The chaining bit is used to “chain” instructions appearing after the last instruction of the last issue group of a first VLIW packet to the instructions in the first issue group of a second VLIW packet. In one embodiment, a mask generation logic along with …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.