Stream Processor with Variable Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) Factor and Common Special Function

A method for processing data in any of a plurality of different formats, the method comprising:

• determining that received data is short format data;
• in response to determining that the received data is short format data, functionally separate a first arithmetic logic unit (ALU) to a plurality of channels for processing, according to an instruction set;
• functionally separating a second ALU to a plurality of channels for processing, according to the instruction set;
• processing data in the first ALU;
• and
• sending the processed data to the second functionally separated ALU with a plurality of channels for short data.

A modular stream processor configured to process data in a plurality of different formats, the modular stream processor comprising:

• a first Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) configured to receive first input data and control data, the control data being configured to indicate a format associated with the received input data, the first ALU further configured to process short format input data and long format input data, according to the control data;
• a second ALU configured to receive the control data from the first ALU, the second ALU further configured to process second input data, the second input data being related to the first input data, the second ALU being further configured to process short format input data and long format input data, according to the control data,
• a third ALU configured to receive the control data from the second ALU, the third ALU further configured to receive third input data, the third input data being related to the first input data and the second input data, the third ALU further configured to process short format input data and long format input data according to the control data;
• and
• a fourth ALU configured to receive the control data from the third ALU, the fourth ALU further configured to receive fourth input data, the fourth input data being related to the first input data, the second input data, and the third input data, the fourth ALU further configured to process short format data and long format data, according to the control data.