Processing unit configured to convert the data format of data element values using an intermediate data format

A method, comprising:

• in response to receiving one or more instructions to convert a value stored in a first data format to a second data format in a first data format style, converting, by an accelerator unit, the value to the second data format in the first data format style by:
• converting the value from the first data format to an intermediate data format in an intermediate data format style;
• and
• converting the value from the intermediate data format in the intermediate data format style to the second data format in the first data format style;
• and
• performing, by the AU, one or more tensor operations using the value in the second data format in the first data format style.

An accelerator unit (AU), comprising:

• one or more registers configured to store a value in a first data format;
• and
• one or more processor cores, the one or more processor cores configured to:
• convert the value from the first data format to a second data format in a first data format style by:
• converting the value from the first data format to an intermediate data format in an intermediate data format style based on the first data format style;
• rounding the value in the intermediate data format in the intermediate data format style according to an intermediate rounding mode;
• and
• converting the value from the intermediate data format in the intermediate data format style to the second data format in the first data format style.