Abstract: A system, apparatus and a method for implementing multifunctional memories is disclosed. The multifunctional memories perform a variety of functions during execution of extended instructions in a reconfigurable data path processor composed of processing nodes. In one embodiment, a processing node can be comprised of modular processing elements to perform computations associated with an extended instruction. Also, such a node includes at least two multifunctional memories and a data flow director configured to selectably couple the first multifunctional memory and the second multifunctional memory. The data flow director is configured to route data out from a first multifunctional memory of the two multifunctional memories while data is being routed into a second multifunctional memory. In another embodiment, a processing node is configured to compute a function output based on a number of Boolean functions, wherein at least one of the multifunctional memories is configured as a look-up table (“LUT”).

Abstract: The computer program includes a virtualization software that is executable on the new processor in the legacy mode. The new processor includes a legacy instruction set for a legacy operating mode and a new instruction set for a new operation mode. The switching includes switching from the new instruction set to the legacy instruction set and switching paging tables. Each of the new operating mode and the legacy operating mode has separate paging tables. The switch routine is incorporated in a switch page that is locked in physical memory. The switch page has a first section to store a part of switching instructions conforming to the new instruction set and a second section to store another part of the switching instructions conforming to the legacy instruction set.

Abstract: Provided is a data processing device that can prevent data used by a program from being used by another program in an unauthorized manner, regardless of the quality of the programs. The data processing device includes: a CPU 0201 for executing programs; and an unauthorized operation prevention circuit 0105 that prevents unauthorized accesses to data between programs. An unauthorized operation prevention control unit 0106, which operates in the protected mode and controls the circuit 0105, judges whether or not to permit a program B 0103 that runs in the normal mode to use a memory area that is used by a program A 0102 that runs in the normal mode, based on a function flag assigned to the program B 0103. If it judges to permit, the circuit 0105 is set so that the program B 0103 can use the memory area.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided that enable a multiple instruction set architecture (ISA) central processing unit (CPU) to distinguish between different program instructions corresponding to different ISAs during execution of a multiple-ISA application program. The apparatus allows the multiple-ISA CPU to select a particular ISA decoding mode corresponding to a program instruction. The program instruction is located at an address within an address space of the multiple-ISA CPU. The apparatus includes a plurality of boundary address registers and ISA mode selection logic. The plurality of boundary address registers can be dynamically loaded to partition the address space into a plurality of address ranges, where each of the plurality of address ranges corresponds to each of a plurality of ISA decoding modes. The ISA mode selection logic is coupled to the plurality of boundary address registers.

Abstract: A method of managing an instruction cache and a process of using the method are provided. The processor includes a processor core which has an active mode and an inactive mode, and an instruction cache which pre-traces a first instruction and detects a cache miss during the inactive mode, wherein the first instruction is performed by the processor core during the active mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods for scheduling program units that are part of a process executed within an operating system are disclosed. Additionally, at least one thread is started within the operating system, the thread is associated with the process. Further, a plurality of streams within the thread are selected for execution on a multiple processor unit. Upon the occurrence of a context shifting event, one of the streams enters a kernel mode. If the first stream to enter kernel mode must block, then the execution of the other streams of the plurality of streams is also blocked.

Abstract: A set of S-machines, a T-machine corresponding to each S-machine, a General Purpose Interconnect Matrix (GPIM), a set of I/O T-machines, a set of I/O devices, and a master time-base unit form a system for scalable, parallel, dynamically reconfigurable computing. Each S-machine is a dynamically reconfigurable computer having a memory, a first local time-base unit, and a Dynamically Reconfigurable Processing Unit (DRPU). The DRPU is implemented using a reprogrammable logic device configured as an suction Fetch Unit (IFU), a Data Operate Unit (DOU), and an Address Operate Unit (AOU), each of which are selectively reconfigured during program execution in response to a reconfiguration interrupt or the selection of a reconfiguration directive embedded within a set of program instructions. Each reconfiguration interrupt and each reconfiguration directive references a configuration data set specifying a DRPU hardware organization optimized for the implementation of a particular Instruction Set Architecture (ISA).

Abstract: In a dynamically compiling computer system, a system and method for efficiently transferring control from execution of an instruction in a first representation to a second representation of the instruction is disclosed. The system and method include the setting of a tag for entry points of each instruction in a first representation that has been translated to a second representation. The tag is stored in memory in association with each such instruction. When a given instruction in a first representation is to be executed, the tag is examined, and if it indicates that a translated version of the instruction has previously been generated, control is passed to execution of the instruction in the second representation. The second representation can be a different instruction set representation, or an optimized representation in the same instruction set as the original instruction.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device in which a CPU not to be used of a plurality of CPUs formed on one chip can easily be disconnected by an external signal in order to reduce the costs of developing an LSI. In accordance with a CPU selection signal inputted from the outside, a decoder generates an internal selection signal for selecting a CPU to be operated and sends the internal selection signal to the plurality of CPUs. Only the selected CPU can perform valid access to a bus to use peripheral modules.

Abstract: A system and method for Input/Output scheduling are described herein. In one embodiment, the method includes installing a plurality of Input/Output (I/O) schedulers to schedule I/O requests for a plurality of I/O devices, wherein each of the I/O schedulers schedules I/O requests according to a different scheduling method. The method also includes scheduling one of the I/O requests with at least one of the plurality of I/O schedulers. The method also includes determining that a second I/O scheduler replaces an I/O scheduler of the plurality of I/O schedulers, installing the second I/O scheduler, and scheduling one of the I/O requests with the second scheduler.

Abstract: A system includes a first asymmetric core, a second asymmetric core, and a core switching module. The first asymmetric core executes an application when the system operates in a first mode and is inactive when the system operates in a second mode. The second asymmetric core executes the application when the system operates in the second mode. The core switching module switches operation of the system between the first mode and the second mode. The core switching module selectively stops processing of the application by the first asymmetric core after receiving a first control signal. The core switching module transfers a first state of the first asymmetric core to the second asymmetric core. The second asymmetric core resumes executing the application in the second mode.

Abstract: A memory mapped register file is disclosed for a data processing system that comprises a memory unit, input ports, and output ports. The memory unit includes a plurality of registers addressable by an encoded address, wherein the encoded address corresponds to a respective one of the plurality of registers and a corresponding processor mode. The input ports receive inputs for addressing at least one register using an encoded address. The output ports output data from at least register addressable by an encoded address.

Abstract: An objective is to perform a low power operation of a microprocessor on the pipeline stage of an instruction decode and a preceding pipeline stage without the necessity for increasing a circuit size or decoding time. An instruction code of each program for performing an instruction includes a first instruction set, which includes a flag for specifying predicate (301), and one or more second instruction sets including control specification information (302). A low power operation of each control circuit is performed for each instruction according to the instruction execution control function. Thus, without the necessity for increasing a circuit size or decoding time, it is possible to control the pipeline stage of an instruction decode and a preceding pipeline stage, achieving a low power operation of the microprocessor.

Abstract: Configuration management information having circuit configuration information for altering a circuit configuration of an FPGA (12) is stored in a memory (13), the configuration management information according to information related to an instruction group, which is supplied by a configuration management unit (11) from the outside via a signal line group (14), is read from the memory (13), and the circuit configuration of the FPGA (12) is altered according to the read configuration management information to execute processing of the instruction group so that information processing by software is replaced by information processing by hardware in real time, which increases execution speed of information processing and shortens verification time of software, enabling software development in a shorter period and with higher efficiency.

Abstract: A multi-threaded processor is provided. The multi-threading processor includes a first instruction fetch unit and a second instruction fetch unit. A multi-thread scheduler unit is coupled to the first instruction fetch unit and the second instruction fetch unit. An execution unit, which executes a first active thread and a second active thread is coupled to the scheduler unit. The multi-threading processor also includes a register file coupled to the execution unit. The register file switches one of the first active thread and the second active threads with a first inactive thread.

Abstract: A method for switchover and for signal comparison is used in a computer system having at least two processing units, a switchover device being provided, and a switch taking place between at least two operating modes, and a comparison device being provided; and a first operating mode corresponds to a compare mode, and a second operating mode corresponds to a performance mode, wherein at least two analog signals of the processing units are compared in that at least one analog signal is converted into at least one digital value.

Abstract: A method and system for selecting the architecture level to which a processor appears to conform within a computing environment when executing specific logical partitions or programs and performing migration among different levels of processor architecture. The method utilizes a “processor compatibility register” (PCR) that controls the level of the architecture that the processor appears to support. In one embodiment, the PCR is accessible only to super-privileged software. The super-privileged software sets bits in the PCR that specify the architecture level that the processor is to appear to support so that when the program runs on the processor, the processor behaves in accordance with the architecture level for which the program was designed.

Abstract: A processor includes a plurality of execution units configured to execute instructions, a pre-decoder configured to sieve out a power-switching instruction from the instructions, and a power controller configured to control the status of the execution unit based on the power-switching instruction. The power controller includes an identification decoder configured to generate identifications respectively corresponding to the execution units from the power-switching instruction, and a power manager configured to switch the execution unit corresponding to the identification. Particularly, the power-switching instruction includes a power-on instruction and a power-off instruction. The processor further includes a plurality of reservation tables each configured to store the instruction to be executed by one of the execution units, and a turn-off signal is not conveyed to the power manager until the reservation table corresponding to the execution unit to be turned off is empty.

Abstract: A method and a system for operating a plurality of processors that each includes an execution pipeline for processing dependence chains, the method comprising: configuring the plurality of processors to execute the dependence chains on execution pipelines; implementing a Super Re-Order Buffer (SuperROB) in which received instructions are re-ordered after out-of-order execution when at least one of the plurality of processors is in an Instruction Level Parallelism (ILP) mode and at least one of the plurality of processors has a Thread Level Parallelism (TLP) core; detecting an imbalance in a dispatch of instructions of a first dependence chain compared to a dispatch of instructions of a second dependence chain with respect to dependence chain priority; determining a source of the imbalance; and activating the ILP mode when the source of the imbalance has been determined.

Abstract: A method and a system for operating a plurality of processors that each includes an execution pipeline for processing dependence chains, the method comprising: configuring the plurality of processors to execute the dependence chains on execution pipelines; implementing a Super Re-Order Buffer (SuperROB) in which received instructions are re-ordered after out-of-order execution when at least one of the plurality of processors is in an Instruction Level Parallelism (ILP) mode and at least one of the plurality of processors has a Thread Level Parallelism (TLP) core; detecting an imbalance in a dispatch of instructions of a first dependence chain compared to a dispatch of instructions of a second dependence chain with respect to dependence chain priority; determining a source of the imbalance; and activating the ILP mode when the source of the imbalance has been determined.

Abstract: A method and architecture accesses a unified memory in a micro-processing system having a two-phase clock. The unified memory is accessed during a first instruction cycle. When a program code discontinuity is encountered, the unified memory is accessed a first time during an instruction cycle with a dummy access. The unified memory is accessed a second time during the instruction cycle when a program code discontinuity is encountered with either a data access, as in the case of a last instruction of a loop, or an instruction access, as in the case of a jump instruction.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide dual-mode drivers in a processor system are disclosed. An example method disclosed herein comprises including operating system (OS) agnostic mode services that are available during an OS agnostic mode to allow a single set of drivers to be used during boot mode and the OS agnostic mode. The example method further comprises including a dual-mode library that is capable of determining the current operating mode of the processor system and binding the drivers to available services accordingly.

Abstract: An SMT system is designed to allow software alteration of thread priority. In one case, the system signals a change in a thread priority based on the state of instruction execution and in particular when the instruction has completed execution. To alter the priority of a thread, the software uses a special form of a “no operation” (NOP) instruction (hereafter termed thread priority NOP). When the thread priority NOP is dispatched, its special NOP is decoded in the decode unit of the IDU into an operation that writes a special code into the completion table for the thread priority NOP. A “trouble” bit is also set in the completion table that indicates which instruction group contains the thread priority NOP. The trouble bit indicates that special processing is required after instruction completion. The thread priority instruction is processed after completion using the special code to change a thread's priority.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for processing a first instruction set and a second instruction set in a single processor. The method includes storing a plurality of instructions of the second instruction set in a plurality of buffers proximate to a plurality of execution units, executing an instruction of the first instruction set in response to a first counter, and executing at least one instruction of the second instruction set in response to at least a second counter, wherein the second counter is invoked by a branch instruction of the first instruction set.

Abstract: A multiprocessor data processing system is described wherein the processors communicate to each other via a shared memory. Each of the processors comprises an administration unit (18a) and a computational unit. The administration unit of a writing processor maintains information defining a section in the memory which is free for storing data objects for readout by the reading processor. The administration unit of the reading processor maintains information defining a section in the memory in which the writing processor has written completed data for the data objects. The processors are arranged to signal a message to another processor via a processor synchronization channel for updating the information in the administration unit of said other processor.

Abstract: A method and a device for operand processing in a processing unit having at least two execution units, which are able to be operated at a predefinable clock cycle. The execution units are controlled by control signals for the processing of the operands and a switch is possible between a first operating mode and a second operating mode. In the first operating mode, both execution units are supplied with the same operands, and in the second operating mode different operands are supplied to both execution units, and both execution units are controlled by the same control signals for the processing of the operands in the first operating mode, and both execution units are controlled by different control signals for the processing of the operands in the second operating mode.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a plurality of memory cells; first and second bit lines coupled to the plurality of memory cells; a first and second bit line precharge circuits coupled to the first and second bit lines; and a control circuit coupled to the first and second bit line precharge circuits. The first and second bit line precharge circuits are each configured to precharge the first bit line and the second bit line. The control circuit is coupled to receive an indication that one or more clocks are being restarted after a period of stopped clock operation, and is configured to activate both the first and second bit line precharge circuits responsive to the indication and independent of an operation to the memory that was interrupted by the period of stopped clock operation, if any.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing partial and start-over threads in a kernel of an operating system are disclosed. In a computing system having at least one CPU, registers for executing threads, and memory, a method for executing a partial thread includes executing a first thread in the registers, initiating an interrupt event that signals the activation of another thread, saving a first portion of registers to a memory location, wherein a second portion of the registers is unsaved, the first portion including information associated with the first thread, executing in the registers, the another thread, and conducting further computing system operations. Additionally, conducting further computing system operations can include restoring the saved first portion of registers from the memory location to the registers and resuming execution of the first thread. Also, another embodiment incorporates the foregoing method into a computer device.

Abstract: A processing arrangement for a computer comprising: first processor means (1) for processing a first set of instructions; and second processor means (2) for processing a second set of instructions, the second set of instructions being a subset of the first set of instructions, wherein the second processor means (2) is arranged to receive control signals and to process instructions in dependence upon those control signals without reference to the first processor means.

Abstract: The automatic selection of an input/output scheduler in a computing system with a plurality of input/output schedulers is disclosed. Each of the plurality of input/output schedulers is mapped against a corresponding desired set of heuristics. Heuristics relating to job requests submitted by processes in the computer system are monitored and analysed. These heuristics may include the number of read and write requests, the ratio of read requests to write requests, input/output throughput, disk utilization and the average time taken for processes to submit subsequent jobs once an initial job completes. The analysed heuristics are compared to the desired sets of heuristics for the plurality of input/output schedulers to select one of the plurality of input/output schedulers.

Abstract: A processor includes first decoder logic capable of decoding a plurality of encoded instructions comprising a first instruction set, the first decoder logic having an input to receive an encoded instruction output from the fetch logic. The processor also includes second decoder logic capable of decoding a plurality of encoded instructions comprising a second instruction set, the second decoding logic having an input to receive an encoded instruction output from the fetch logic. Finally, the processor includes decoder control logic configured to selectively control active operation of the first decoder logic and the second decoder logic. In operation, the decoder control logic operates such that when the first decoder logic is decoding an instruction then the second decoder logic is operated in a lower-power, inactive mode. Likewise, when the second decoder logic is decoding an instruction then the first decoder logic is operated in a lower-power, inactive mode.

Abstract: A method of run-time reconfiguration of a programmable unit is provided, the programmable unit including a plurality of reconfigurable function cells in a multidimensional arrangement. An event is detected. The source of the detected event is determined, and an address of an entry in a jump table is calculated as a function of the source of the event, the entry storing a memory address of a configuration for a reconfigurable function cell. The entry is retrieved and a state of a corresponding reconfigurable cell is determined. If the reconfigurable cell is in a reconfiguration state, the reconfigurable cell is reconfigured as a function of the configuration data. If the reconfigurable cell in not in reconfiguration state, the configuration data is stored in a FIFO.

Abstract: A re-configurable, streaming vector processor (100) is provided which includes a number of function units (102), each having one or more inputs for receiving data values and an output for providing a data value, a re-configurable interconnection switch (104) and a micro-sequencer (118). The re-configurable interconnection switch (104) includes one or more links, each link operable to couple an output of a function unit (102) to an input of a function unit (102) as directed by the micro-sequencer (118). The vector processor may also include one or more input-stream units (122) for retrieving data from memory. Each input-stream unit is directed by a host processor and has a defined interface (116) to the host processor. The vector processor also includes one or more output-stream units (124) for writing data to memory or to the host processor. The defined interface of the input-stream and output-stream units forms a first part of the programming model.

Abstract: A method and logical apparatus for switching between single-threaded and multi-threaded execution states within a simultaneous multi-threaded (SMT) processor provides a mechanism for switching between single-threaded and multi-threaded execution. The processor receives an instruction specifying a transition from a single-threaded to a multi-threaded mode or vice-versa and halts execution of all threads executing on the processor. Internal control logic controls a sequence of events that ends instruction prefetching, dispatch of new instructions, interrupt processing and maintenance operations and waits for operation of the processor to complete for instructions that are in process.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for dynamic registration of privileged mode hooks in a device that can operate in a privileged mode and a non-privileged mode. A data structure is provided which maps between identifiers and functions. An available slot in the data structure is used to store a pointer associated with a function. The identifier can then be made accessible to non-privileged applications.

Abstract: The dynamic switching of a bi-endian processor between endian modes is described. A device having the bi-endian processor may also have an endian select circuit. The endian select circuit may receive a signal from the processor that determines what the endian-ness should be after the processor resets. Special instruction code may be executed by the processor in both little and big endian modes. The special instruction code may, for instance, cause a processor in a first endian mode to output a signal and reset, while the same instruction code may cause a processor in a second endian mode to neither output the signal nor reset. Instead, the processor in the second endian mode may jump to a new instruction address and proceed with normal processing.

Abstract: An multi-threading processor is provided. The multi-threading processor includes a first instruction fetch unit and a second instruction fetch unit. A multi-thread scheduler unit is coupled to the first instruction fetch unit and the second instruction fetch unit. An execution unit, which executes a first active thread and a second active thread is coupled to the scheduler unit. The multi-threading processor also includes a register file coupled to the execution unit. The register file switches one of the first active thread and the second active threads with a first inactive thread.

Abstract: A computer system includes processor having dual execution cores and a non-volatile memory that stores an error recovery routine. The processor's execution cores operate in lock step when the processor is in a redundant execution mode, and they operate independently when the processor is in a split execution mode. The error recovery routine is invoked when the processor detects a soft error while operating in the redundant execution mode. The error recovery routine switches the processor to split execution mode. In split mode, each execution core saves uncorrupted processor state data to a designated memory location and updates any corrupted data with corresponding processor state data from the other execution core. The error recovery routine returns the processor to redundant mode, initializes each execution core with the recovered processor state data, and returns control of the processor to the program thread that was executing when the soft error was detected.

Abstract: A multiprocessor system capable of responding to various types of processing to improve the processing efficiency of the entire system. Each of a plurality of processors holds information indicating the program control mode, a VLIW mode or a multithread mode, in a program synchronization flag of a program controller. A master processor, responsible for program control of the entire system, notifies an instruction memory section for storing instructions in a program of updated information when the program synchronization flag information is updated.

Abstract: A processor supports a processing mode in which the address size is greater than 32 bits and the operand size may be 32 or 64 bits. The address size may be nominally indicated as 64 bits, although various embodiments of the processor may implement any address size which exceeds 32 bits, up to and including 64 bits, in the processing mode. The processing mode may be established by placing an enable indication in a control register into an enabled state and by setting a first operating mode indication and a second operating mode indication in a segment descriptor to predefined states. Other combinations of the first operating mode indication and the second operating mode indication may be used to provide compatibility modes for 32 bit and 16 bit processing compatible with the x86 processor architecture (with the enable indication remaining in the enabled state).

Abstract: An instruction word is used to transfer information about whether the instruction word pertains to mode setting of a functional block. Instruction words included in the program code are processed in at least a first decoding step and a second decoding step, wherein in the first decoding step, said information included in the instruction word is examined. On the basis of the examination, it is determined whether the mode of one or more functional blocks is to be set or whether the second decoding step is to be taken, in which the instruction word is decoded to be run by one or more of said functional blocks. The invention also relates to a processor and an electronic device, in which the method can be implemented. The invention further relates to a program, in which a program code is provided for implementing the method.

Abstract: An objective is to perform a low power operation of a microprocessor on the pipeline stage of an instruction decode and a preceding pipeline stage without the necessity for increasing a circuit size or decoding time. An instruction code of each program for performing an instruction includes a first instruction set, which includes a flag for specifying predicate (301), and one or more second instruction sets including control specification information (302). A low power operation of each control circuit is performed for each instruction according to the instruction execution control function. Thus, without the necessity for increasing a circuit size or decoding time, it is possible to control the pipeline stage of an instruction decode and a preceding pipeline stage, achieving a low power operation of the microprocessor.

Abstract: Portions of a cache are flushed in stages. An exemplary flushing of the present invention comprises flushing a first portion, performing operations other than a flush, and then flushing a second portion of the cache. The first portion may be disabled after it is flushed. The cache may be functionally divided into portions prior to a flush, or the portions may be determined in part by an abort signal. The operations may access either the cache or the memory. The operations may involve direct memory access or interrupt servicing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a digital signal processing apparatus comprising a plurality of available hardware resource means and a first instruction set means having access to said available hardware resource means, so that at least a part of said hardware resource means execute operations under control of said first instruction set means, and further comprising a second instruction set means having access to only a predetermined limited subset of said plurality of available hardware resource means, so that at least a part of said predetermined limited subset of said hardware resource means execute operations under control of said second instruction set means.

Abstract: A hardware Java™ accelerator is provided to implement portions of the Java™ virtual machine in hardware in order to accelerate the operation of the system on Java™ bytecodes. The Java™ hardware accelerator preferably includes Java™ bytecode translation into native CPU instructions. The combination of the Java™ hardware accelerator and a CPU provides a embedded solution which results in an inexpensive system to run Java™ programs for use in commercial appliances.

Abstract: System for providing transitions between operating modes of a device. The system includes a method for providing transitions between a privileged and a non-privileged operating mode. The method comprises executing an application in the non-privileged mode, generating an interrupt to request the services of a privileged function, and transitioning to the privileged mode to execute the privileged function, wherein the privileged function is executed as part of the same thread of execution as the application.

Abstract: A processor generates a mode indication based on two or more other indications. The mode indication is indicative of whether or not a particular mode is active in the processor. Each indication is stored in a storage location which is addressable via a different instruction. In one embodiment, a long mode in which a 64 bit operating mode is selectable in addition to 32 bit and 16 bit modes may be activated via a long mode active indication. The long mode active indication may be generated by the processor, and may indicate that long mode is active if paging is enabled and a long mode enable indication indicates that long mode is enabled. In this manner, long mode may be activated after paging is enabled (with a set of long mode page tables indicated by the page table base address).

Abstract: A processor is disclosed including a register, functional unit(s), and a control unit. The register stores multiple bits, wherein one or more of the bits has a value representing a current electrical power dissipation mode (i.e., power mode) of the processor. The functional unit(s) respond to the power mode signal by altering their electrical power dissipation and issuing an acknowledge signal. The control unit receives a power mode input representing a request to enter a new power mode, and issues the power mode signal in response. The control unit waits for the acknowledge signal(s), and responds to the acknowledge signal(s) by modifying the one or more bits of the register to reflect the new power mode. A method is described for transitioning from a current power mode to a new power mode. A data processing system is disclosed including a peripheral device coupled to the processor.

Abstract: A processor supports logical partitioning of hardware resources including real address spaces of a computer system. An ultra-privileged supervisor process, called a hypervisor, regulates the logical partitions and can dynamically re-allocate resources. Preferably, the processor supports hardware multithreading, each thread independently capable of being in either hypervisor, supervisor, or problem state, and is capable of entering hypervisor state only upon occurrence of certain pre-defined events. A logical partition identifier is stored in a processor register, and can be altered by the processor only when in hypervisor state. Certain bus communications contain a logical partition identifier tag, and the processor ignores such communications if the tag does not match its own logical partition identifier in its register.

Abstract: A processor supports a processing mode in which the address size is greater than 32 bits and the operand size may be 32 or 64 bits. The address size may be nominally indicated as 64 bits, although various embodiments of the processor may implement any address size which exceeds 32 bits, up to and including 64 bits, in the processing mode. The processing mode may be established by placing an enable indication in a control register into an enabled state and by setting a first operating mode indication and a second operating mode indication in a segment descriptor to predefined states. Other combinations of the first operating mode indication and the second operating mode indication may be used to provide compatibility modes for 32 bit and 16 bit processing compatible with the x86 processor architecture (with the enable indication remaining in the enabled state).