System for expanded instruction encoding and method thereof

A method comprising the steps of:

• when in a first mode of operation:
• receiving a first standard instruction;
• decoding the first standard instruction using a first instruction decoder;
• when in a second mode of operation:
• receiving a second instruction, wherein the second instruction includes the first standard instruction part and an augmented instruction part;
• decoding the first standard instruction part using the first instruction decoder;
• decoding the augmented instruction part using a second instruction decoder.

A method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a command;
• determining if the command is associated with a program loop;
• if the command is not associated with a program loop, translating the command to a standard instruction;
• and
• if the command is associated with a program loop, translating the command to an augmented instruction having a standard instruction part and an augmented instruction part.