Overflow event counter

A processing system comprising a plurality of instances of a processing device, each processing device comprising:

• an execution unit configured to execute instructions to perform arithmetic operations on input values represented according to a format, the format having a range of representable values extending between predefined limit values;
• and
• a first register configured to store a count value indicating a number of times overflow events have occurred when the processing device performs the arithmetic operations,
• wherein the execution unit is configured to, in response to performing a first of the arithmetic operations having a result which extends beyond one of the predefined limit values:
• store a result value that is within the predefined limit values;
• and
• cause the count value to be incremented, wherein for each of the instances:
• the execution unit of the respective instance is configured to cause a current value of the respective count value to be exported from the respective instance of the processing device.

A method comprising:

• executing instructions to perform arithmetic operations on input values represented according to a format, the format having a range of representable values extending between predefined limit values, the predefined limit values comprising a maximum positive value and a minimum negative value;
• and
• storing in a first register, a count value indicating a number of times overflow events have occurred when the processing device performs the arithmetic operations, in response to performing a first of the arithmetic operations having a result which extends beyond one of the predefined limit values:
• storing a result value that is within the predefined limit values;
• and
• causing the count value to be incremented.

A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a set of computer readable instructions, which when executed by at least one processor causes a method to be carried out, the method comprising:

• executing instructions to perform arithmetic operations on input values represented according to a format, the format having a range of representable values extending between predefined limit values, the predefined limit values comprising a maximum positive value and a minimum negative value;
• and
• storing in a first register, a count value indicating a number of times overflow events have occurred when the processing device performs the arithmetic operations,
• in response to performing a first of the arithmetic operations having a result which extends beyond one of the predefined limit values:
• storing a result value that is within the predefined limit values;
• and
• causing the count value to be incremented.