Abstract: A computer processor with control and data processing capabilities comprises a decode unit for decoding instructions. A data processing facility comprises a first data execution path including fixed operators and a second data execution path including at least configurable operators, the configurable operators having a plurality of predefined configurations, at least some of which are selectable by means of an opcode portion of a data processing instruction. The decode unit is operable to detect whether a data processing instruction defines a fixed data processing operation or a configurable data processing operation, said decode unit causing the computer system to supply data for processing to said first data execution path when a fixed data processing instruction is detected and to said configurable data execution path when a configurable data processing instruction is detected.

Abstract: A processor including: a first and at least a second data processing channel with enable logic for selectively enabling the second channel; logic for generating first and second storage addresses having a variable offset therebetween based on the same one or more address operands of the same storage access instruction; and circuitry for transferring data between the first address and a register of the first data processing channel and between the second address and a corresponding register of the second channel based on a same one or more register specifier operands of the access instruction. The first data processing channel performs an operation using one or more registers of the first data processing channel, and on condition of being enabled the second channel performs the same operation using a corresponding one or more of its own registers based on the same one or more operands of the data processing instruction.

Abstract: A configurable execution unit comprises operators capable of being dynamically configured by an instruction at the level of processing multi-bit operand values. The unit comprises one or more dynamically configurable operator modules, the or each module being connectable to receive input operands indicated in an instruction, and a programmable lookup table connectable to receive dynamic configuration information determined from an opcode portion of the instruction and capable of generating operator configuration settings defining an aspect of the function or behavior of a configurable operator module, responsive to the dynamic configuration information in the instruction.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the invention, there is disclosed a computer processor architecture; and in particular a computer processor, a method of operating the same, and a computer program product that makes use of an instruction set for the computer.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the invention, there is disclosed a data processing unit, a method of operating the same, computer program product and an instruction. In one embodiment according to the invention, there is provided a data processing unit for a computer processor, the data processing unit comprising a deep register access mechanism capable of performing a permutation operation on at least one data operand accessed from a register file of the computer processor, the permutation operation being performed in series with (i) register access for the data operand and (ii) execution of a data processing operation on the operand.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the invention, there is disclosed a computer processor architecture; and in particular a computer processor, a method of operating the same, and a computer program product that makes use of an instruction set for the computer.

Abstract: A computer processor comprises a decode unit and a processing channel. The decode unit decodes a stream of instruction packets from a memory, each instruction packet comprising a plurality of instructions. The processing channel comprises a plurality of functional units and operable to perform control processing operations. The decode unit is operable to receive and decode instruction packets of a bit length of 64 bits and to detect if the instruction packet defines three control instructions each having a length of 21 bits. The decode unit detects that the instruction packet comprises the three control instructions. The control instructions are supplied to the processing channel for execution in the order in which they appear in the instruction packet. The detection uses an identification bit in the instruction packet.

Abstract: A collapsible bar (10) includes first and second support members (12), a surface element (14), and members for releasably latching the surface element (14) to the first and second support members (12). Preferably, the releasable latching members include an elongate channel (36) on each support member (12) and two skirt-portions (38) on the surface element (14). Each skirt-portion (38) is receivable in a respective elongate channel (36) as a close fit.

Abstract: A configurable execution unit comprises operators capable of being dynamically configured by an instruction at the level of processing multi-bit operand values. The unit comprises one or more dynamically configurable operator modules, the or each module being connectable to receive input operands indicated in an instruction, and a programmable lookup table connectable to receive dynamic configuration information determined from an opcode portion of the instruction and capable of generating operator configuration settings defining an aspect of the function or behaviour of a configurable operator module, responsive to said dynamic configuration information in the instruction.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the invention, there is disclosed a data processing unit, a method of operating the same, computer program product and an instruction. In one embodiment according to the invention, there is provided a data processing unit for a computer processor, the data processing unit comprising a deep register access mechanism capable of performing a permutation operation on at least one data operand accessed from a register file of the computer processor, the permutation operation being performed in series with (i) register access for the data operand and (ii) execution of a data processing operation on the operand.

Abstract: An addition circuit for producing a sum of four redundant binary numbers includes a 4:2 compression adder for receiving each of the operand fields of the four redundant binary numbers, and producing a first sum field and a first carry field therefrom. The addition circuit further includes a 4:3 compression adder for receiving each of the sparse carry-save fields of the four redundant binary numbers, and producing a second sum field therefrom. The addition circuit also includes a 3:2 compression adder for receiving the first sum field, the first carry field and the second sum field, and producing a third sum field and a second carry field therefrom. The third sum field and the second carry field are the final results from addition of the four redundant binary numbers.

Abstract: A collapsible bar (10) includes first and second support members (12), a surface element (14), and members for releasably latching the surface element (14) to the first and second support members (12). Preferably, the releasable latching members includes an elongate channel (36) on each support member (12) and two skirt-portions (38) on the surface element (14). Each skirt-portion (38) is receivable in a respective elongate channel (36) as a close fit.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the invention, there is disclosed a computer processor architecture; and in particular a computer processor, a method of operating the same, and a computer program product that makes use of an instruction set for the computer. In one embodiment according to the invention, there is provided a computer processor, the processor comprising: a decode unit for decoding instruction packets fetched from a memory holding a sequence of instruction packets; and first and second processing channels, each channel comprising a plurality of functional units, wherein the first processing channel is capable of performing control operations and comprises a control register file having a relatively narrower bit width, and the second processing channel is capable of performing data processing operations at least one input of which is a vector and comprises a data register file having a relatively wider bit width.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the invention, there is disclosed a computer processor architecture; and in particular a computer processor, a method of operating the same, and a computer program product that makes use of an instruction set for the computer.

Abstract: A computer processor with control and data processing capabilities comprises a decode unit for decoding instructions. A data processing facility comprises a first data execution path including fixed operators and a second data execution path including at least configurable operators, the configurable operators having a plurality of predefined configurations, at least some of which are selectable by means of an opcode portion of a data processing instruction. The decode unit is operable to detect whether a data processing instruction defines a fixed data processing operation or a configurable data processing operation, said decode unit causing the computer system to supply data for processing to said first data execution path when a fixed data processing instruction is detected and to said configurable data execution path when a configurable data processing instruction is detected.

Abstract: An addition circuit for producing a sum of four redundant binary numbers includes a 4:2 compression adder for receiving each of the operand fields of the four redundant binary numbers, and producing a first sum field and a first carry field therefrom. The addition circuit further includes a 4:3 compression adder for receiving each of the sparse carry-save fields of the four redundant binary numbers, and producing a second sum field therefrom. The addition circuit also includes a 3:2 compression adder for receiving the first sum field, the first carry field and the second sum field, and producing a third sum field and a second carry field therefrom. The third sum field and the second carry field are the final results from addition of the four redundant binary numbers.

Abstract: A method of designing an addition circuit, and an addition circuit designed according to the method are described. The design technique is optimised to facilitate design of an addition circuit of minimum depth. The design technique takes into account the number of logical stages of the addition circuit and the manner in which those stages are connected by spanning paths to create fan-out nodes. The number of fan-out nodes per level can be optimized. For bit lengths n, the number (m+2) of logical stages is n=2m+1 and for bit lengths n not of a binary order, the number (m+2) of logical stages is nbo=2m+1, where nbo is the next largest binary order after n.

Abstract: A method of designing an addition circuit, and an addition circuit designed according to the method are described. The design technique is optimised to facilitate design of an addition circuit of minimum depth. The design technique takes into account the number of logical stages of the addition circuit and the manner in which those stages are connected by spanning paths to create fan-out nodes. The number of fan-out nodes per level can be optimized. For bit lengths n, the number (m+2) of logical stages is n=2m+1 and for bit lengths n not of a binary order, the number (m+2) of logical stages is nb0=2m+1, where nb0 is the next largest binary order after n.

Abstract: Circuitry for adding a first binary number (A) having a plurality of bits (a0, a1, . . . ) to a second binary number (B) having a plurality of bits (b0, b1, . . . ) to produce a third binary number (A+B) having a plurality of bits (s0, s1, . . . ) and/or a fourth binary number (A+B+1) having a plurality of bits (s0′, s1′, . . . ) and corresponding to the addition of the third binary number and one.