Address Generation Unit Using Nested Loops To Scan Multi-Dimensional Data Structures

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method in accordance with the invention may include providing a multi-dimensional data structure and providing an address generation unit configured to calculate real addresses in order to access the multi-dimensional data structure in a desired pattern. The address generation unit may be configured to calculate the real addresses by executing a series of nested loops pre-programmed into the address generation unit prior to accessing the multi-dimensional data structure. The address generation unit may receive as inputs a set of parameters defining the characteristics of the nested loops. The method may then include accessing the data structure at the real addresses calculated by the address generation unit.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.