Abstract: According to one embodiment, a processor includes an execution pipeline for executing a plurality of threads, including a first thread and a second thread. The processor further includes a multi-thread controller (MTC) coupled to the execution pipeline to determine whether to switch threads between the first and second thread based on a thread switch policy that is selected from a list of thread switch policies based on unfairness levels of the first and second thread, and in response to determining to switch threads, to switch from executing the first thread to executing the second thread.

Abstract: A digital circuit for counting the number of zeroes or ones in a data word comprising a plurality of series paths leading to one-hot encoded outputs. Each one-hot encoded output indicates a different number of like signals in the input data word. One of the plurality of series paths is activated by connecting the series path from an input power rail to the one-hot output. A series path is connected through a plurality of transfer gates, each controlled by either a single bit of the input data word or its complement. The series paths may be optimized to share transfer gates by interconnecting them in a tree or lattice structure. Subsections of the input data word may be counted separately in independent tree or lattice structures, then combined in subsequent combinational stages of the circuit. The resulting one-hot encoded count of like signals may then be binary encoded by a final stage of the counting circuit.