Abstract: A digital signal processor which uses a RISC/CISC style front end and a VLIW style back end. Sequential ISA instructions are decoded into ?ops having a programmatic ordering. The ?ops are packed into a VLIW-like instruction packet according to a set of rules enforcing machine policy on e.g. data dependency, VLIW slot availability, maximum VLIW width, and so forth. Within the instruction packet, original program order is identified in case it is necessary to perform precise exception handling. The ISA code is executed as though it were on a RISC/CISC machine, but with VLIW style ILP efficiencies.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for whacking a ?OP based upon the criticality of that ?OP. Also disclosed are embodiments of a method for determining the criticality of a ?OP.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for whacking a ?OP based upon the criticality of that ?OP. Also disclosed are embodiments of a method for determining the criticality of a ?OP.

Abstract: A method and device for determining an attribute associated with a locked load instruction and selecting a lock protocol based upon the attribute of the locked load instruction. Also disclosed is a method for concurrently executing the respective lock sequences associated with multiple threads of a processing device.

Abstract: A method and device for determining an attribute associated with a locked load instruction and selecting a lock protocol based upon the attribute of the locked load instruction. Also disclosed is a method for concurrently executing the respective lock sequences associated with multiple threads of a processing device.

Abstract: A method and system are employed within a processor for performing page table walks on speculative software prefetch operations. The system includes a first fault register to store information associated with a faulting micro-op relating to a non-prefetch memory access operation and a second fault register to store information associated with a faulting micro-op relating to a prefetch memory access operation. Also included in the system is a first unit to determine whether a currently pending micro-op relates to a non-prefetch operation or a prefetch operation. The first unit is configured to drop the currently pending micro-op from a pipeline if (1) the currently pending micro-op relates to a prefetch memory access and (2) the currently pending micro-op has previously faulted.

Abstract: A method and device for determining an attribute associated with a locked load instruction and selecting a lock protocol based upon the attribute of the locked load instruction. Also disclosed is a method for concurrently executing the respective lock sequences associated with multiple threads of a processing device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for whacking a &mgr;OP based upon the criticality of that &mgr;OP. Also disclosed are embodiments of a method for determining the criticality of a &mgr;OP.

Abstract: A method and system are employed within a processor for performing page table walks on speculative software prefetch operations. The system includes a first fault register to store information associated with a faulting micro-op relating to a non-prefetch memory access operation and a second fault register to store information associated with a faulting micro-op relating to a prefetch memory access operation. Also included in the system is a first unit to determine whether a currently pending micro-op relates to a non-prefetch operation or a prefetch operation. The first unit is configured to drop the currently pending micro-op from a pipeline if (1) the currently pending micro-op relates to a prefetch memory access and (2) the currently pending micro-op has previously faulted.