US 6,588,008 B1 · Assembler tool for processor-coprocessor computer systems

Abstract

A central processor-coprocessor assembly comprising an assembler software tool for extending the base central processor tasks into at least one coprocessor. What is important is that the assembler software tool does not need to be rebuilt when changes are made to the coprocessor elements. The invention allows assembly time extension of a base core language processing (CLP) programming model, without the need to rebuild the assembler tool itself. The assembler tool comprises a set of commands which enable the central processor to manipulate the coprocessor registers, and a coprocessor execute instruction, which initiates command processing on the coprocessor. The present invention simplifies the maintenance of the assembler tool through multiple hardware revisions by enabling hardware designers to update their coprocessor definition files to reflect new or modified coprocessors.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A computer system, comprising:

a a control processor;
b. at least one coprocessor having registers;
c. a coprocessor directive file comprising first software programming language arguments associated with the at least one coprocessor;
and
d. a compiled assembler tool configured to generate machine code instructions responsive to the coprocessor directive file, said machine code instructions enabling the control processor to manipulate the at least one coprocessor registers and initiate command processing upon the at least one coprocessor;
e. wherein the coprocessor directive file may be reprogrammed with second software programming language arguments replacing the first arguments and the compiled assembler tool generate revised machine code instructions responsive to the second arguments, said revised machine code instructions enabling the control processor to manipulate the at least one coprocessor registers and initiate command processing upon the first coprocessor.

3 more elements

A method of controlling the programmability of a network processor, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a control processor;
b) providing at least one coprocessor having registers;
c) providing a coprocessor directive file comprising first software programming language arguments associated with the at least one coprocessor,
d) compiling an assembler tool to generate machine code instructions responsive to the coprocessor directive file, said machine code instructions enabling the control processor to manipulate the at least one coprocessor registers and initiate command processing upon the at least one coprocessor,
e) programming the coprocessor directive file with second software programming language arguments replacing the first arguments;
f) the compiled assembler tool generating revised machine code instructions responsive to the second arguments, said revised machine code instructions enabling the control processor to manipulate the first coprocessor registers and initiate command processing upon the at least one coprocessor.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Assembler tool for processor-coprocessor computer systems

Life of this patent

Assembler tool for processor-coprocessor computer systems

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14