Processing instructions at a processing unit configured to perform parallel processing

A processing unit configured to perform parallel processing, the processing unit comprising a parallel processing engine, the parallel processing engine comprising a first processing instance and a second processing instance, the parallel processing engine being configured to:

• during a mission cycle:
• process a first set of one or more mission operand values in accordance with a mission instruction at the first processing instance so as to generate a first mission output;
• and
• in parallel, process a second set of one or more mission operand values in accordance with the mission instruction at the second processing instance so as to generate a second mission output;
• wherein the first set of one or more mission operand values is different to the second set of one or more mission operand values;
• and
• during a test cycle:
• process a first set of one or more test operand values in accordance with a test instruction at the first processing instance so as to generate a first test output;
• and
• in parallel, process a second set of one or more test operand values in accordance with the test instruction at the second processing instance so as to generate a second test output;
• wherein the first set of one or more test operand values is the same as the second set of one or more test operand values;
• compare the first test output and the second test output;
• and
• raise a fault signal if the compared test outputs do not match.

An integrated circuit manufacturing system comprising:

• a layout processing system configured to process a computer readable dataset description so as to generate a circuit layout description of an integrated circuit embodying a processing unit;
• and
• an integrated circuit generation system configured to manufacture the processing unit according to the circuit layout description;
• wherein the processing unit is configured to perform parallel processing, the processing unit comprising a parallel processing engine, the parallel processing engine comprising a first processing instance and a second processing instance, the parallel processing engine being configured to:
• during a mission cycle:
• process a first set of one or more mission operand values in accordance with a mission instruction at the first processing instance so as to generate a first mission output;
• and
• in parallel, process a second set of one or more mission operand values in accordance with the mission instruction at the second processing instance so as to generate a second mission output;
• wherein the first set of one or more mission operand values is different to the second set of one or more mission operand values;
• and
• during a test cycle:
• process a first set of one or more test operand values in accordance with a test instruction at the first processing instance so as to generate a first test output;
• and
• in parallel, process a second set of one or more test operand values in accordance with the test instruction at the second processing instance so as to generate a second test output;
• wherein the first set of one or more test operand values is the same as the second set of one or more test operand values;
• compare the first test output and the second test output;
• and
• raise a fault signal if the compared test outputs do not match.