Method and apparatus for storing complex numbers to allow for efficient complex multiplication operations and performing such complex multiplication operations

In a data processing system that executes a program of instructions, a method comprising the steps of:

• A) receiving a first instruction;
• B) in response to said first instruction:
• B1) reading a first set of eight data elements, said first set of eight data elements including one representation of each of the components of a first, second, third and fourth complex number;
• and
• B2) generating the real component of both a first and second resulting complex number using said first set of eight data elements, said first resulting complex number representing the product of said first and second complex numbers, said second resulting complex number representing the product of said third and fourth complex numbers;
• C) receiving a second instruction;
• and
• D) in response to said second instruction:
• D1) reading a second set of eight data elements, said second set of eight data elements including one representation of each of the components of said first, second, third, and fourth complex number;
• and
• D2) generating the imaginary component of both said first and second resulting complex number using said second set of eight data elements.

A machine-readable medium having stored thereon data representing sequences of instructions, said sequences of instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause said processor to perform steps of:

• A) reading a first instruction;
• B) in response to said first instruction:
• B1) reading eight data elements stored as packed data, a first subset of said eight data elements including two representations of each of the components of a first complex number, a second subset of said eight data elements including two representations of each of the components of a second complex number, wherein each representation of said components either represents the positive or negative of said component;
• and
• B2) generating a resulting complex number representing the product of said first and second complex numbers using said first and second subsets.