Abstract: Data stored in a first memory are processed by a processing device comprising a processor, a second memory, and an interface device interfacing the processing of data from the first memory. In the interface device, in order to facilitate transfer of data from the first memory where data are stored in a first data format to the second memory where data are stored in a second data format, a first group of data is received from the first memory, with said group ordered into a sequence corresponding to the first data format. Then at least one second group of data is obtained by ordering said data in the first group into a new sequence which is a function of the first and second data formats. The second group of data is stored in the second memory.

Abstract: A method of transferring guard values and a computer system, such as a processor for digital signal processing, including a parallel set of execution units that utilizes the method. A master set of guard indicators is held in association with one of the execution units. If other execution units require the guard values for particular guard indicators, a sendguard instruction is issued to the execution unit holding the master guard values. The sendguard instructions are held in a separate queue from the main instructions intended for that execution unit. Circuitry is provided in the execution unit to avoid stalling in the dispatch of sendguard instructions even in the context of earlier guard modifying instructions.

Abstract: A method is provided for managing access to a ring buffer, for at least one data transfer channel for a determined amount of data, with this ring buffer comprising a series of buffer sub-areas spaced apart by a memory address offset and ordered from a first buffer sub-area to a last buffer sub-area. A starting address is initialized from a first register storing the value of the memory address of the first buffer sub-area, and a counter is initialized from a second register storing the value of the number of buffer sub-areas in the buffer. The buffer sub-areas are successively accessed, from the first buffer sub-area to the last buffer sub-area, starting from the starting address and as a function of the memory address offset, on the basis of the value of the counter. The initialization and access steps are repeated such that the determined amount of data is transferred.

Abstract: A processor includes a program memory containing program instructions, and a processor core including several processing units and a central unit. The central unit, upon receipt of a program instruction, issues corresponding instructions to the various processing units. The processor core is clocked by a clock signal. A branching instruction received by the central unit, in the course of a current cycle, is processed in the course of the current cycle.

Abstract: A system on chip comprises a CPU, a local memory a data processing module, and a DMA controller. The DMA controller comprises a first interface to handle data transmissions, to and from the local memory, associated with an indication to the local memory of an address in local memory, and is designed to perform data writes and reads in the local memory via this interface. The DMA controller also comprises a second interface, which in response to a command received from the central processing unit, operations for writing and reading data in the local memory via the first interface. The DMA controller also comprises a third interface with the processing module to transmit to it the data read, via the first interface, in the local memory, this transmission not being associated with an indication to the processing module, by the DMA controller, of an address.

Abstract: Data stored in a first memory are processed by a processing device comprising a processor, a second memory, and an interface device interfacing the processing device with the first memory. In the interface device, in order to facilitate transfer of data from the first memory where data are stored in a first data format to the second memory where data are stored in a second data format, a first group of data is received from the first memory, with said group ordered into a sequence corresponding to the first data format. Then at least one second group of data is obtained by ordering said data in the first group into a new sequence which is a function of the first and second data formats. The second group of data is stored in the second memory.

Abstract: A carry save adder circuit for reducing the number of inputs to a lower number of outputs, the carry save adder circuit including four carry save adders, the four carry save adders being arranged in two layers with the first and second carry save adders being arranged in a first of said layers and the third and fourth carry save adders being arranged in a second of the layers, said third and fourth carry save adders being arranged to provide the outputs, the third and fourth carry save adders each receiving at least one output from each of the first and second carry save adders and the first and second carry save adders being arranged to receive at least some of the inputs.

Abstract: An arithmetic unit for multiplying a first quantity x by a second quantity y, the arithmetic unit including a Booth coder having a plurality of inputs for receiving a plurality bits of the second quantity and a plurality of outputs for providing Booth coded outputs; and circuitry connected to at least one of the inputs and the outputs for modifying at least one output of the coder.

Abstract: An arithmetic unit for adding a plurality of values to define a result, the arithmetic unit including circuitry for receiving the plurality of values; circuitry for adding the plurality of values to define a result, the result being within a first range; circuitry for determining if the result falls within a second range, the second range being smaller than the first range, the circuitry arranged to consider only some of the bits of the result; and circuitry for modifying the result in so that the result output by said arithmetic unit falls within the second range.

Abstract: A method of transferring guard values and a computer system, such as a processor for digital signal processing, including a parallel set of execution units that utilizes the method. A master set of guard indicators is held in association with one of the execution units. If other execution units require the guard values for particular guard indicators, a sendguard instruction is issued to the execution unit holding the master guard values. The sendguard instructions are held in a separate queue from the main instructions intended for that execution unit. Circuitry is provided in the execution unit to avoid stalling in the dispatch of sendguard instructions even in the context of earlier guard modifying instructions.

Abstract: A method of transferring guard values and a computer system, such as a processor for digital signal processing, including a parallel set of execution units that utilizes the method. A master set of guard indicators is held in association with one of the execution units. If other execution units require the guard values for particular guard indicators, a sendguard instruction is issued to the execution unit holding the master guard values. The sendguard instructions are held in a separate queue from the main instructions intended for that execution unit. Circuitry is provided in the execution unit to avoid stalling in the dispatch of sendguard instructions even in the context of earlier guard modifying instructions.

Abstract: A processor includes a program memory containing program instructions, and a processor core including several processing units and a central unit. The central unit, upon receipt of a program instruction, issues corresponding instructions to the various processing units. The processor core is clocked by a clock signal. A branching instruction received by the central unit, in the course of a current cycle, is processed in the course of the current cycle.

Abstract: An arithmetic unit for multiplying a first quantity X by a second quantity Y, said arithmetic unit comprising a Booth coder having a plurality of inputs for receiving a plurality bits of the second quantity and a plurality of outputs for providing Booth coded outputs; and circuitry means connected to at least one of said inputs and said outputs for modifying at least one output of the coder.

Abstract: An arithmetic unit for adding a plurality of values to define a result, said arithmetic unit comprising means for receiving said plurality of values; means for adding said plurality of values to define a result, said result being within a first range; means for determining if said result fall within a second range, said second range being smaller than the first range, said means being arranged to consider only some of the bits of said result; and means for modifying said result in so that the result output by said arithmetic unit falls within the second range.

Abstract: A carry save adder circuit for reducing the number of inputs to a lower number of outputs, said carry save adder circuit comprising four carry save adders, said four carry save adders being arranged in two layers with the first and second carry save adders being arranged in a first of said layers and the third and fourth carry save adders being arranged in a second of said layers, said third and fourth carry save adders being arranged to provide said outputs, said third and fourth carry save adders each receiving at least one output from each of said first and second carry save adders and the first and second carry save adders being arranged to receive at least some of said inputs.

Abstract: A process is for determining an overflow to the format of the result of an arithmetic operation carried out by an arithmetic unit on two operands A and B and an input carry digit Cin. This process is executed in parallel to the processing done by the AU on operands A and B, before the AU has determined the result S of the operation.