Processor with Hardware Pipeline

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer readable dataset description that, when processed in an integrated circuit manufacturing system, causes the integrated circuit manufacturing system to manufacture an integrated circuit embodying a processor comprising:

• a hardware pipeline comprising fixed-function hardware;
• a register bank to which software can write task descriptors;
• a blocking circuit disposed between an upstream section and a downstream section of the hardware pipeline, wherein the blocking circuit has an open state, whereby data passes from the upstream section to the downstream section, and a closed state that blocks data passing from the upstream section to the downstream section;
• and
• control circuitry configured to, in response to detecting that the upstream section has finished processing a first task, trigger the upstream section to start processing a second task while the downstream section is still processing the first task, and switch the blocking circuit to the closed state.