Abstract: A data processor for executing instructions using operand data stored in a main memory includes an instruction control unit having a first associative memory storing instruction read out from the main memory, and an instruction controller reading out an instruction from the first associative memory when the instruction is present in the first associative memory and from the main memory when the instruction is not present in the first associative memory the instruction control unit produces an output the instruction to be executed. An instruction execution unit has a second associative memory that stores operand data read out from the main memory, and an instruction executioner executing the instruction by using operand data read out from the second associative memory when the operand data is present in the second associative memory and from the main memory when the operand data is not present in the second associative memory.

Abstract: The microprocessor has an address converting buffer to convert logical addresses into physical addresses and a signal generator representing the timing for the microprocessor to retrieve conversion information from an external memory and write it into the address converting buffer. With this configuration, it is possible to determine the logical address from the physical address that was output to an external circuit, without the microprocessor outputting the logical address directly to the external circuit.

Abstract: An instruction is constituted by a plurality of words, minimum necessary information necessary for effective address calculation of an operand is stored in a leading word and a word or words containing an operation specification field (operation words) are arranged to continue the first word. According to this system, the operation word can be decoded concurrently with the address calculation of the operand or the operand fetch operation. Therefore, there is no need to secure a time exclusively for decoding the operation word and the execution speed of the instruction requiring the operand can be improved.

Abstract: In addition to an ordinary bit field instruction without limitation which makes use of an offset value and a field width, a bit field instruction with limitation which does not calculate the spread of the bit field is separately installed. In the present invention the calculation for determination of the spread of the bit field is not performed when the bit field instruction with limitation is executed. In addition, when executing a bit field instruction with limitation, the offset value and the field width can be obtained directly as immediate values thereby decreasing the execution time of the instruction.

Abstract: A method for searching the memory of a data processing apparatus including a decoder for decoding the contents of an instruction and an execution unit for executing the instruction based on an output from the decoder is performed in response to a search instruction which identifies a desired data storage area from a plurality of data storage areas in the memory which includes an array data structure.

Abstract: An instruction is constituted by a plurality of words, minimum necessary information necessary for effective address calculation of an operand is stored in a leading word and a word or words containing an operation specification field (operation words) are arranged to continue the first word. According to this system, the operation word can be decoded concurrently with the address calculation of the operand or the operand fetch operation. Therefore, there is no need to secure a time exclusively for decoding the operation word and the execution speed of the instruction requiring the operand can be improved.

Abstract: When a microprocessor fetches an instruction to be processed by a coprocessor, it sends to the coprocessor a command corresponding to the instruction while informing the coprocessor that the bus cycle is in the mode of transfer of the instruction to the coprocessor. In transferring an operand from the memory to the coprocessor, the microprocessor asserts, in addition to a usual memory read signal, a signal (CYCYCL) indicative of validity of the coprocessor and instructs the coprocessor to fetch data to thereby complete the operand transfer from memory to coprocessor within one bus cycle. In transferring data from the coprocessor to the memory, the microprocessor asserts, in addition to a usual memory write signal, the CYCYCL signal and instructs the coprocessor to deliver the data to thereby complete the data transfer from memory to coprocessor within one bus cycle.

Abstract: A microprocessor and a peripheral equipment communicate data through a bus. If an error occurs during communication, the microprocessor starts the next bus cycle and commands retry of the data communication. If a predetermined number of times of retry fail, and if an address signal corresponds to an unmounted area of an address space, wherein the unmounted area is an area of the address space not occupied by peripheral equipment including an I/O device, the microprocessor inhibits the retry.