Abstract: A multi-port hybrid full-swing/low-swing memory circuit in a static random access memory (SRAM) device comprises a first wordline driver that comprises a read wordline driver, a second wordline driver that comprises either a read wordline driver or a read/write wordline driver, a memory cell coupled to the first and second wordline drivers, a sense amplifier coupled to the memory cell, and a latch coupled to the memory cell. The memory circuit is capable of achieving high-speed low-swing or low-speed full-swing operations while avoiding the need for a large circuit area on an integrated circuit.

Abstract: A system and method to evaluate a data value as an instruction is disclosed. For example, an apparatus configured to execute program code includes an execute unit configured to execute a first instruction associated with a location of a second instruction. The first instruction is identified by a program counter. The apparatus also includes a decode unit configured to receive the second instruction from the location and to decode the second instruction to generate a decoded second instruction without changing the program counter to point to the second instruction.

Abstract: A multi-port hybrid full-swing/low-swing memory circuit in a static random access memory (SRAM) device comprises a first wordline driver that comprises a read wordline driver, a second wordline driver that comprises either a read wordline driver or a read/write wordline driver, a memory cell coupled to the first and second wordline drivers, a sense amplifier coupled to the memory cell, and a latch coupled to the memory cell. The memory circuit is capable of achieving high-speed low-swing or low-speed full-swing operations while avoiding the need for a large circuit area on an integrated circuit.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes receiving an instruction packet including a first instruction and a second instruction that is dependent on the first instruction at a processor having a plurality of parallel execution pipelines, including a first execution pipeline and a second execution pipeline. The method further includes executing in parallel at least a portion of the first instruction and at least a portion of the second instruction. The method also includes selectively committing a second result of executing the at least a portion of the second instruction with the second execution pipeline based on a first result related to execution of the first instruction with the first execution pipeline.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a multi-threaded processor that includes a first register file associated with a first thread and a second register file associated with a second thread. At least one hardware resource is shared by the first and second register files. In addition, the first thread may have a pipeline access position that is non-sequential to the second thread. A method of accessing a plurality of register files is also disclosed. The method includes reading data from a first register file while concurrently reading data from a second register file. The first register file is associated with a first instruction stream and the second register file is associated with a second instruction stream. The first instruction stream is sequential to the second instruction stream in an execution pipeline of a processor, and the first register file is in a non-adjacent location with respect to the second register file.

Abstract: Techniques for the design and use of a digital signal processor, including (but not limited to) for processing transmissions in a communications (e.g., CDMA) system. Trusted and untrusted debugging operational control occurs in operating a core processor associated with the digital signal processor. A debugging process within a debugging mechanism associates with the core processor. The core processor process determines the origin of debugging control as trusted debugging control or untrusted debugging control. In the event of trusted debugging control, the core processor process provides to the trusted debugging control a first set of features and privileges. Alternatively, in the event that debugging control is untrusted debugging control, the core processor process provides the untrusted debugging control a second restricted set of features and privileges, all for maintaining security and proper operation of the core processor process.

Abstract: Techniques for the design and use of a digital signal processor, including (but not limited to) for processing transmissions in a communications (e.g., CDMA) system. Stuffing instructions in a processing pipeline of a multi-threaded digital signal processor provides for operating a core processor process and a debugging process within a debugging mechanism. Writing a stuff instruction into a debugging process registry and a stuff command in a debugging process command register provides for identifying a predetermined thread of the multi-threaded digital signal processor in which to execute the stuff instruction. The instruction stuffing process issues a debugging process control resume command during a predetermined stage of executing on the predetermined thread and directs the core processor to perform the stuff instruction during the debugging process. The core processor may then execute the stuffed instruction in association with the core processor process and the debugging process.

Abstract: A method and system provide processing instructions in a multi-threaded process including the use of breakpoint instructions for generating debugging event(s). A debugging event is generated in response to the execution of breakpoint instructions and executes debugging instructions in response to the debugging event. The debugging instructions debug processing instructions in the multi-threaded processor by transitioning at least one or more threads into a debugging mode. A debugging return is generated for reporting the executing debugging instructions in the subset of the threads of the multi-threaded processor.

Abstract: Techniques for the design and use of a digital signal processor, including (but not limited to) for processing transmissions in a communications (e.g., CDMA) system. The method and system improve software instruction debugging operations by capturing real-time information relating to software execution flow and include and instructions and circuitry for operating a core processor process within a core processor. A non-intrusive debugging process operates within a debugging mechanism of a digital signal processor. Non-intrusively monitoring in real time predetermined aspects of software execution occurs with the core processing process and occurs in real-time on the processor. An embedded trace macrocell records selectable aspects of the non-intrusively monitored software execution and generates at least one breakpoint in response to events arising within the selectable aspects of the non-intrusively monitored software execution.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes, comparing, during a write back stage at an execution unit, a write identifier associated with a result to be written to a register file from execution of a first instruction to a read identifier associated with a second instruction at an execution pipeline within an interleaved multi-threaded (IMT) processor having multiple execution units. When the write identifier matches the read identifier, the method further includes storing the result at a local memory of the execution unit for use by the execution unit in the subsequent read stage.

Abstract: Systems and methods including a multithreaded processor with a lock indicator are disclosed. In an embodiment, a system includes means for indicating a lock status of a shared resource in a multithreaded processor. The system includes means for automatically locking the shared resource before processing exception handling instructions associated with the shared resource. The system further includes means for unlocking the shared resource.

Abstract: A system and method to evaluate a data value as an instruction is disclosed. For example, an apparatus configured to execute program code includes an execute unit configured to execute a first instruction associated with a location of a second instruction. The first instruction is identified by a program counter. The apparatus also includes a decode unit configured to receive the second instruction from the location and to decode the second instruction to generate a decoded second instruction without changing the program counter to point to the second instruction.

Abstract: A thread switch mechanism and technique for a microprocessor is disclosed wherein a processing of a first thread is completed, and a continuation of a second thread is initiated during completion of the first thread. In one form, the technique includes processing a first thread at a pipeline of a processing device, and initiating processing of a second thread at a front end of the pipeline in response to an occurrence of a context switch event. The technique can also include initiating a instruction progress metric in response the context switch event. The technique can further include enabling completion of processing of instructions of the first thread that are at a back end of the pipeline at the occurrence of the context switch event until an expiry of the instruction progress metric.

Abstract: A system and method of using an n-way cache are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method includes determining a first way of a first instruction stored in a cache and storing the first way in a list of ways. The method also includes determining a second way of a second instruction stored in the cache and storing the second way in the list of ways. In an embodiment, the first way may be used to access a first cache line containing the first instruction and the second way may be used to access a second cache line containing the second instruction.

Abstract: Techniques for the design and use of a digital signal processor, including (but not limited to) for processing transmissions in a communications (e.g., CDMA) system. A method and system control transferring data between debugging registers and digital signal processor processes in association with a power transition sequence of the digital signal processor. In a digital signal processor, debugging registers associate with the core processor process and the debugging process. Control bits control transferring data among the debugging registers, the core processor process and the debugging process. The control bit prevents transferring data among the debugging registers, the core processor process and the debugging process in the event of a power transition sequence. Control bits also prevent a power transition sequence of the digital signal processor in the event of transferring data among the debugging registers and the core processor process or the debugging process.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes receiving an instruction packet including a first instruction and a second instruction that is dependent on the first instruction at a processor having a plurality of parallel execution pipelines, including a first execution pipeline and a second execution pipeline. The method further includes executing in parallel at least a portion of the first instruction and at least a portion of the second instruction. The method also includes selectively committing a second result of executing the at least a portion of the second instruction with the second execution pipeline based on a first result related to execution of the first instruction with the first execution pipeline.

Abstract: A thread switch mechanism and technique for a microprocessor is disclosed wherein a processing of a first thread is completed, and a continuation of a second thread is initiated during completion of the first thread. In one form, the technique includes processing a first thread at a pipeline of a processing device, and initiating processing of a second thread at a front end of the pipeline in response to an occurrence of a context switch event. The technique can also include initiating a instruction progress metric in response the context switch event. The technique can further include enabling completion of processing of instructions of the first thread that are at a back end of the pipeline at the occurrence of the context switch event until an expiry of the instruction progress metric.

Abstract: Systems and methods including a multithreaded processor with a lock indicator are disclosed. In an embodiment, a system includes means for indicating a lock status of a shared resource in a multithreaded processor. The system includes means for automatically locking the shared resource before processing exception handling instructions associated with the shared resource. The system further includes means for unlocking the shared resource.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a multi-threaded processor that includes a first register file associated with a first thread and a second register file associated with a second thread. At least one hardware resource is shared by the first and second register files. In addition, the first thread may have a pipeline access position that is non-sequential to the second thread. A method of accessing a plurality of register files is also disclosed. The method includes reading data from a first register file while concurrently reading data from a second register file. The first register file is associated with a first instruction stream and the second register file is associated with a second instruction stream. The first instruction stream is sequential to the second instruction stream in an execution pipeline of a processor, and the first register file is in a non-adjacent location with respect to the second register file.

Abstract: A system and method of using an n-way cache are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method includes determining a first way of a first instruction stored in a cache and storing the first way in a list of ways. The method also includes determining a second way of a second instruction stored in the cache and storing the second way in the list of ways. In an embodiment, the first way may be used to access a first cache line containing the first instruction and the second way may be used to access a second cache line containing the second instruction.