Variable Precision Processor

Abstract

Systems and methods for processing variable precision data using tags to identify the positions of digits within data words. One embodiment comprises a processor having internal structures that are configured to represent a variable precision data word as a variable number of digits, where each digit includes a digit value and associated tags indicative of the digit's position within the data word. The digit value may comprise an 8-bit value, and the tags may include single bits indicating whether the digit is the first and/or last digit in the variable precision word. The processor may be coupled to other variable precision devices by variable precision communication channels. The processor may be coupled to external devices that represent with fixed precision, and may use aliases to provide mappings between the variable precision data and fixed precision data, automatically adding or removing the tags associated with the digits, as necessary.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.