Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for extending a microprocessor instruction set to specify non-temporal memory references at the instruction level. The apparatus includes translation logic and extended execution logic. The translation logic translates an extended instruction into a micro instruction sequence. The extended instruction has an extended prefix and an extended prefix tag. The extended prefix specifies a non-temporal access for a memory reference prescribed by the extended instruction, where the non-temporal access cannot be specified by an existing instruction from an existing instruction set. The extended prefix tag indicates the extended prefix, where the extended prefix tag is an otherwise architecturally specified opcode within the existing instruction set. The extended execution logic is coupled to the translation logic. The extended execution logic receives the micro instruction sequence, and executes the non-temporal access to perform the memory reference.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for extending a microprocessor instruction set to allow for selective suppression of interrupts at the instruction level. The apparatus includes translation logic and extended execution logic. The translation logic translates an extended instruction into corresponding micro instructions. The extended instruction has and extended prefix and an extended prefix tag. The extended prefix specifies that interrupt processing be suppressed until execution of the extended instruction is completed, where the extended instruction prescribes an operation to be performed according to an existing instruction set. The extended prefix tag is an otherwise architecturally specified opcode within an existing instruction set. The extended execution logic is coupled to the translation logic. The extended execution logic receives the corresponding micro instructions, and completes execution of the corresponding micro instructions prior to processing a pending interrupt.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing cryptographic operations is provided. The apparatus includes a cryptographic instruction, CBC block pointer logic, and execution logic. The cryptographic instruction is received by a pipeline microprocessor as part of an application program executing on the pipeline microprocessor. The cryptographic instruction prescribes one of the cryptographic operations. The one of the cryptographic operations includes a plurality of CBC block cryptographic operations performed on a corresponding plurality of input text blocks. The CBC block pointer logic is operatively coupled to the cryptographic instruction. The CBC block pointer logic directs the pipeline microprocessor to update pointer registers and intermediate results for each of the plurality of CBC block cryptographic operations. The execution logic is operatively coupled to the CBC block pointer logic. The execution logic executes the one of the cryptographic operations.

Abstract: An apparatus for locking out a source synchronous strobe receiver, including a delay-locked loop (DLL) and receivers. The DLL receives a reference clock, and generates a select vector and an encoded select vector. The select vector is employed to select a delayed version of the reference clock that lags the reference clock by a prescribed number of cycles. The select vector is reduced by an amount and is gray encoded to indicate a first time. The receivers are each coupled to the delay-locked loop. Each of the receivers receives the encoded select vector and a corresponding strobe, and locks out reception of die corresponding strobe for a configurable lockout lime following transition of the corresponding strobe. The encoded select vector is employed by a gray code mux therein to determine the configurable lockout time by selecting a delayed version of the corresponding strobe.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extending a microprocessor instruction set is provided. The apparatus includes translation logic and extended execution logic. The translation logic translates an extended instruction into corresponding micro instructions. The extended instruction has an extended prefix and an extended instruction tag. The extended prefix directs that an architectural extension be employed in the execution of an operation prescribed by the extended instruction. The extended instruction tag indicates the extended instruction prefix, where the extended instruction tag is an otherwise architecturally specified opcode within the microprocessor instruction set. The extended execution logic is coupled to the translation logic, and receives the corresponding micro instructions, and employs the architectural extension in the execution of the operation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing cryptographic operations. In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided for performing cryptographic operations. The apparatus includes fetch logic, keygen logic, and execution logic. The fetch logic is disposed within a microprocessor and receives cryptographic instruction single atomic cryptographic instruction as part of an instruction flow executing on the microprocessor. The cryptographic instruction single atomic cryptographic instruction prescribes one of the cryptographic operations, and also prescribes that a provided cryptographic key be expanded into a corresponding key schedule for employment during execution of the one of the cryptographic operations. The keygen logic is disposed within the microprocessor and is operatively coupled to the single atomic cryptographic instruction. The keygen logic directs the microprocessor to expand the provided cryptographic key into the corresponding key schedule. The execution logic is coupled to the keygen logic.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for performing cryptographic operations on a plurality of input data blocks within a microprocessor, where the size cryptographic key that is employed is programmable. In one embodiment, an apparatus for performing cryptographic operations is provided. The apparatus includes fetch logic and execution logic. The fetch logic is disposed within a microprocessor, and receives a cryptographic instructionsingle atomic cryptographic instruction as part of an instruction flow executing on the microprocessor. The cryptographic instructionsingle atomic cryptographic instruction prescribes one of the cryptographic operations, and also one of a plurality of cryptographic key sizes. The execution logic disposed within the microprocessor and is operatively coupled to the single atomic cryptographic instruction. The execution logic executes the one of the cryptographic operations.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for performing cryptographic operations on a plurality of input data blocks within a processor. In one embodiment, an apparatus for performing cryptographic operations is provided. The apparatus includes a cryptographic instruction and execution logic. The cryptographic instruction is received by a computing device as part of an instruction flow executing on the computing device, wherein the cryptographic instruction prescribes one of the cryptographic operations. The execution logic is operatively coupled to the cryptographic instruction and executes the one of the cryptographic operations. The one of the cryptographic operations includes indicating whether the one of the cryptographic operations has been interrupted by an interrupting event.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing cryptographic operations on a plurality of input data blocks. In one embodiment, an apparatus for performing cryptographic operations is provided. The apparatus includes a cryptographic instruction, OFB mode logic, and execution logic. The cryptographic instruction is received by a pipeline microprocessor as part of an application program executing on the pipeline microprocessor. The cryptographic instruction prescribes one of the cryptographic operations. The one of the cryptographic operations includes a plurality of OFB block cryptographic operations performed on a corresponding plurality of input text blocks. The OFB mode logic is operatively coupled to the cryptographic instruction. The OFB mode logic directs the pipeline microprocessor to update pointer registers and an initialization vector location for each of the plurality of CFB block cryptographic operations. The execution logic is operatively coupled to the OFB mode logic.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing cryptographic operations on a plurality of input data blocks within a processor. In one embodiment, an apparatus for performing cryptographic operations is provided. The apparatus includes a cryptographic instruction, CFB mode logic, and execution logic. The cryptographic instruction is received by a pipeline microprocessor as part of an application program executing on the pipeline microprocessor. The cryptographic instruction prescribes one of the cryptographic operations. The one of the cryptographic operations includes a plurality of CFB block cryptographic operations performed on a corresponding plurality of input text blocks. The CFB mode logic is operatively coupled to the cryptographic instruction. The CFB mode logic directs the pipeline microprocessor to update pointer registers and intermediate results for each of the plurality of CFB block cryptographic operations. The execution logic is operatively coupled to the CFB mode logic.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for extending a microprocessor instruction set to allow for instruction-level specification of floating point format to be employed during execution of an associated floating point operation. The apparatus includes translation logic and extended execution logic. The translation logic translates an extended instruction into corresponding micro instructions. The extended instruction has an extended prefix and an extended prefix tag. The extended prefix specifies the floating point format. The extended prefix tag indicates the extended prefix, where the extended prefix tag is an otherwise architecturally specified opcode within an instruction set for a microprocessor. The extended execution logic is coupled to the translation logic. The extended execution logic receives the corresponding micro instructions, and executes the associated floating point operation according to the floating point format specified by the extended prefix.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for performing cryptographic operations on a plurality of input data blocks within a processor, where the size of the input data blocks is programmable. In one embodiment, an apparatus for performing cryptographic operations is provided. The apparatus includes fetch logic and execution logic. The fetch logic is disposed within a microprocessor and is configured to receive a cryptographic instruction single atomic cryptographic instruction as part of an instruction flow executing on the microprocessor. The cryptographic instructionsingle atomic cryptographic instruction prescribes one of the cryptographic operations, and also one of a plurality of data block sizes. The execution logic is disposed within the microprocessor and is operatively coupled to the single atomic cryptographic instruction. The execution logic executes the one of the cryptographic operations.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for performing cryptographic operations on a plurality of input data blocks within a processor. In one embodiment, an apparatus for performing cryptographic operations is provided. The apparatus includes fetch logic and execution logic. The fetch logic is disposed within a microprocessor, and is configured to receive a atomic cryptographic instruction as part of an instruction flow executing on the microprocessor. The cryptographic instructionsingle atomic cryptographic instruction prescribes one of the cryptographic operations, and also prescribes that an intermediate result be generated. The execution logic is disposed within the microprocessor and is operatively coupled to the single atomic cryptographic instruction. The execution logic executes the one of the cryptographic operations, and generates the intermediate result.

Abstract: An N-domino latch includes a domino stage, a write stage, an inverter, a high keeper path, a low keeper path, and an output stage. The domino stage is coupled to an approximately symmetric clock signal. The domino stage evaluates a logic function according to the states of at least one data signal and the approximately symmetric clock signal, where the domino stage pre-charges a pre-charged node high when the approximately symmetric clock signal is low, and discharges the pre-charged node to a low state if the logic function evaluates when the approximately symmetric clock signal is high, and keeps the pre-charged node high if the logic function fails to evaluate when the approximately symmetric clock signal is high, where a latching state of the at least one data signal is provided to the domino stage when the approximately symmetric clock signal is high.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for extending a microprocessor instruction set beyond its current capabilities to allow for extended size operands specifiable by programmable instructions in the microprocessor instruction set. The apparatus includes translation logic and extended execution logic. The translation logic translates an extended instruction into corresponding micro instructions for execution by the microprocessor. The extended instruction has an extended prefix and an extended prefix tag. The extended prefix specifies an extended operand size for an operand corresponding to a prescribed operation, where the extended operand size cannot be specified by an existing instruction set. The extended prefix tag indicates the extended prefix, where the extended prefix tag is an otherwise architecturally specified opcode within the existing instruction set. The extended execution logic is coupled to the translation logic.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for performing cryptographic operations on a plurality of input data blocks within a processor. In one embodiment, an apparatus for performing cryptographic operations is provided. The apparatus includes a cryptographic instruction and translation logic. The cryptographic instruction is received by fetch logic in a microprocessor as part of an instruction flow. The cryptographic instruction prescribes one of the cryptographic operations. The translation logic translates the cryptographic instruction into micro instructions. The micro instructions are ordered to direct the microprocessor to load a second input text block and to execute the one of the cryptographic operations on the second input text block prior to directing the microprocessor to store an output text block corresponding to a first input text block. Consequently, the output text block is stored during execution of the one of the cryptographic operations on the second input text block.

Abstract: A non-inverting dynamic register includes a domino stage, a mux, and an output stage. The domino stage evaluates a logic function based on at least one input data signal and a pulsed clock signal, and opens an evaluation window when the pulsed clock signal goes low, and pulls a pre-discharged node high if it evaluates, and keeps the pre-discharged node low if it fails to evaluate. The mux pulls a feedback node high if the pre-discharged node goes high during the evaluation window, and pulls the feedback node low if the pre-discharged node is low during the evaluation window. The output stage is coupled to the pre-discharged node and the feedback node. The output stage provides an output signal based on states of the pre-discharged and the feedback nodes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for extending a microprocessor instruction set to allow for extended size addresses. The apparatus includes translation logic and extended execution logic. The translation logic translates an extended instruction into an associated micro instruction sequence for execution by the microprocessor, where the extended instruction has an extended prefix and an extended prefix tag. Extended prefix specifies an extended address mode for an address calculation corresponding to an operation, where the extended address mode not otherwise provided for by instructions in an existing instruction set. The extended prefix tag indicates the extended prefix, where the extended prefix tag is an otherwise architecturally specified opcode within the existing instruction set. The extended execution logic is coupled to the translation logic.

Abstract: A microprocessor apparatus and method are provided, for selectively controlling write back of a result. The apparatus includes translation logic and extended execution logic. The translation logic translates an extended instruction into corresponding micro instructions. The extended instruction has an extended prefix and an extended prefix tag. The extended prefix precludes write back of the result, where the result is that which is produced by executing an operation prescribed by said extended instruction, and wherein the result would otherwise be written back into a destination register. The extended prefix tag indicates the extended prefix, where the extended prefix tag is an otherwise architecturally specified opcode within an instruction set for a microprocessor. The extended execution logic is coupled to the translation logic. The extended execution logic receives the corresponding micro instructions, and executes the operation to generate the result, and precludes write back of the result.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided, for accessing extended registers within a microprocessor. The apparatus includes translation logic and extended register logic. The translation logic translates an extended instruction into corresponding micro instructions for execution by the microprocessor. The extended instruction has an extended prefix and an extended prefix tag. The extended prefix specifies register address extensions, the register address extensions indicating the extended registers, where the extended registers cannot be specified by an existing instruction set, and where the existing instruction set includes the x86 instruction set. The extended prefix tag indicates the extended prefix, where the extended prefix tag is an otherwise architecturally specified opcode within the existing instruction set, and where the extended prefix tag includes opcode F1 (ICE BKPT) in the x86 instruction set. The extended register logic is coupled to the translation logic.