Processor with virtualized instruction set architecture and methods
US9870225B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 16, 2014 |
| Grant date | Jan 16, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 31, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/30181
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A processor comprises a decoder for decoding an instruction based both on an explicit opcode identifier and on metadata encoded in the instruction. For example, a relative order of source register names may be used to decode the instruction. As an example, an instruction set may have a Branch Equal (BEQ) specifying two registers (r1 and r2) that store values that are compared for equality. An instruction set can provide a single opcode identifier for BEQ and a processor can determine whether to decode a particular instance of that opcode identifier as BEQ or another instruction, in dependence on an order of appearance of the source registers in that instance. For example, the BEQ opcode can be interpreted as a branch not equal, if a higher numbered register appears before a lower numbered register. Additional forms of metadata can include interpreting a constant included in an instruction, as well as determining equality of source registers, among other forms of metadata.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.