Abstract: Described herein are photonic communication platforms that can overcome the memory bottleneck problem, thereby enabling scaling of memory capacity and bandwidth well beyond what is possible with conventional computing systems. Some embodiments provide photonic communication platforms that involve use of photonic modules. Each photonic module includes programmable photonic circuits for placing the module in optical communication with other modules based on the needs of a particular application. The architecture developed by the inventors relies on the use of common photomask sets (or at least one common photomask) to fabricate multiple photonic modules in a single wafer. Photonic modules in multiple wafers can be linked together into a communication platform using optical or electronic means.

Abstract: Described herein are photonic communication platforms that can overcome the memory bottleneck problem, thereby enabling scaling of memory capacity and bandwidth well beyond what is possible with conventional computing systems. Some embodiments provide photonic communication platforms that involve use of photonic modules. Each photonic module includes programmable photonic circuits for placing the module in optical communication with other modules based on the needs of a particular application. The architecture developed by the inventors relies on the use of common photomask sets (or at least one common photomask) to fabricate multiple photonic modules in a single wafer. Photonic modules in multiple wafers can be linked together into a communication platform using optical or electronic means.

Abstract: A system (106) visualizing an image registration mapping in an intuitive interactive manner. The system (106) includes a display (110) and one or more processors (116). The processors (116) are programmed to receive a first image and a second image and obtain an image registration mapping from the first image to the second image. Even more, the processors (116) are programmed to display the first image adjacent to the second image on the display (110) and obtain one or more reference image locations. Each of the reference image locations is defined in the coordinate frame of one of the first image and the second image. Moreover, the processors (116) are programmed to highlight each of the reference image locations on the one of the first image and the second image and highlight a correlated image location for each of the reference image locations in the other one of the first image and the second image. The correlated image locations are determined using the image registration mapping.

Abstract: A system (106) visualizing an image registration mapping in an intuitive interactive manner. The system (106) includes a display (110) and one or more processors (116). The processors (116) are programmed to receive a first image and a second image and obtain an image registration mapping from the first image to the second image. Even more, the processors (116) are programmed to display the first image adjacent to the second image on the display (110) and obtain one or more reference image locations. Each of the reference image locations is defined in the coordinate frame of one of the first image and the second image. Moreover, the processors (116) are programmed to highlight each of the reference image locations on the one of the first image and the second image and highlight a correlated image location for each of the reference image locations in the other one of the first image and the second image. The correlated image locations are determined using the image registration mapping.

Abstract: A data path for a SIMD-based microprocessor is used to perform different simultaneous filter sub-operations in parallel data lanes of the SIMD-based microprocessor. Filter operations for sub-pixel interpolation are performed simultaneously on separate lanes of the SIMD processor's data path. Using a dedicated internal data path, precision higher than the native precision of the SIMD unit may be achieved. Through the data path according to this invention, a single instruction may be used to generate the value of two adjacent sub-pixels located diagonally with respect to integer pixel positions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for synchronizing multiple processing engines of a microprocessor. In a microprocessor engine employing processor extension logic, DMA engines are used to permit the processor extension logic to move data into and out of local memory independent of the main instruction pipeline. Synchronization between the extended instruction pipeline and DMA engines is performed to maximize simultaneous operation of these elements. The DMA engines includes a data-in and data-out engine each adapted to buffer at least one instruction in a queue. If, for each DMA engine, the queue is full and a new instruction is trying to enter the buffer, the DMA engine will cause the extended pipeline to pause execution until the current DMA operation is complete. This prevents data overwrites while maximizing simultaneous operation.

Abstract: Two pairs of deblock instructions for performing deblock filtering on a horizontal row of pixels according to the H.264 (MPEG 4 part 10) and VC1 video codec algorithms. The first instruction of each pair has three 128-bit operands comprising the 16-bit components of a horizontal line of 8 pixels crossing a vertical block edge between pixels 4 and 5 in a YUV image, a series of filter threshold parameters, and a 128-bit destination operand for storing the output of the first instruction. The second instruction of each pair accepts the same 16-bit components as its first input, the output of the first instruction as its second input and a destination operand for storing an output of the second instruction as its third input. The instruction pairs are intended for use with the H.264 or VC1 video codecs respectively.

Abstract: Systems and methods for selectively decoupling a parallel extended processor pipeline. A main processor pipeline and parallel extended pipeline are coupled via an instruction queue. The main pipeline can instruct the parallel pipeline to execute instructions directly or to begin fetching and executing its own instructions autonomously. During autonomous operation of the parallel pipeline, instructions from the main pipeline accumulate in the instruction queue. The parallel pipeline can return to main pipeline controlled execution through a single instruction. A light weight mechanism in the form of a condition code as seen by the main processor is designed to allow intelligent decision maximizing overall performance to be made in run-time if further instructions should be issued to the parallel extended pipeline based on the queue status.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recording instruction sequences in a microprocessor having a dynamically decoupleable extended instruction pipeline. A record instruction including a record start address is sent to the extended pipeline. The extended pipeline thus begins recording the subsequent instruction sequence at the specified address until an end record instruction is encountered. The end record instruction is recorded as the last instruction in the sequence. The main pipeline may then call the instruction sequence by sending a run instruction including the start address for the desired sequence to the extended pipeline. This run instruction causes the extended pipeline to begin autonomously executing the recorded sequence until the end record instruction is encountered. This instruction causes the extended pipeline to cease autonomous execution and to return to executing instructions supplied by the main pipeline.

Abstract: A parameterizable clip instruction for SIMD microprocessor architecture and method of performing a clip operating the same. A single instruction is provided with three input operands: a destination address, a source address and a controlling parameter. The controlling parameter includes a range type and a range specifier. The range type is a multi-bit integer in the operand that is used to index a table of range types. The range specifier plugs into the range type to define a range. The data input at the source address is clipped according to the controlling parameters. The instruction is particularly suited to video encoding/decoding applications where interpolations or other calculations, lies outside the maximum value and that final result will have to be clipped to saturation value, for example, the maximum pixel value. Signed and unsigned clipping ranges may be used that are not only powers of two.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for implementing instructions in a pipelined central processing unit (CPU) or user-customizable microprocessor. In a first aspect of the invention, an improved method of controlling branching and the execution of instructions within the pipeline is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises defining three discrete delay slot modes within program jump instructions; these delay slot modes specify the execution of subsequent instructions or the stalling of the pipeline as desired by the programmer. In a second aspect of the invention, a method of synthesizing a processor design incorporating the aforementioned modes is disclosed. Exemplary gate logic synthesized using the aforementioned methods, and a computer system capable of implementing these methods, are also described.