Processor with instructions that operate on different data types stored in the same single logical register file
US7149882B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 11, 2004 |
| Grant date | Dec 12, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 6, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/462
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A processor with instructions to operate on different data types stored in a single logical register file. According to one embodiment of the invention, a processor includes a number of physical registers, a memory unit, and a decode/execution unit. The memory unit is to make the number of physical registers appear to software as a single software-visible register file. The decode/execution unit is to execute on the contents of the single software-visible register file instructions of a first instruction type and of a second instruction type, wherein the single software-visible register file is to be operated as a flat register file during execution of instructions of the second instruction type and as a stack referenced register file during execution of instructions of the first instruction type.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.