Processor that performs approximate computing instructions
US9389863B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 23, 2014 |
| Grant date | Jul 12, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 5, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F11/0793
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A processor includes a decoder that decodes an instruction that instructs the processor to perform subsequent computations in an approximate manner and a functional unit that performs the subsequent computations in the approximate manner in response to the instruction. An instruction instructs the processor to clear an error amount associated with a value stored in a general purpose register of the processor. The error amount indicates an amount of error associated with a result of a computation performed by the processor in an approximate manner. The processor also clears the error amount in response to the instruction. Another instruction specifies a computation to be performed and includes a prefix that indicates the processor is to perform the computation in an approximate manner. The functional unit performs the computation specified by the instruction in the approximate manner specified by the prefix.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.