Parallel processing of multiple data values within a data word
AssigneeArm Limited
InventorDominic Hugo Symes
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An input data word contains multiple abutting input data values An. The input data word is split into two intermediate data words into which respective high order portions and low order portions of the data values are written spaced apart by vacant portions. Each intermediate data word may then be subject to one or more data processing operations with bits of the results extending into the vacant portions without corrupting adjacent data values. Finally, the intermediate data words may be recombined to produce result data values.
Claims14
A method of processing an input data word containing a plurality of abutting input data values, each input data value containing a plurality of multi-bit portions, said method comprising the steps of:
- (i) splitting said multi-bit portions of said input data values between a plurality of intermediate data words, each intermediate data word containing a plurality of said multi-bit portions taken from respective input data values, said multi-bit portions being separated by vacant portions within said intermediate data words;
- (ii) performing one or more data processing operations upon said intermediate data words, said data processing operations being such that, within at least one of said intermediate data words, a multi-bit data portion may at least temporarily extend in length into a vacant portion of said intermediate data word and one or more data processing operations performed upon at least one intermediate data word differs from one or more data processing operations performed upon a different intermediate data word;
- and
- (iii) combining said intermediate data words to form an output data word containing a plurality of abutting output data values each formed from a plurality of separately processed multi-bit data portions taken from respective intermediate data words.
Apparatus for processing an input data word containing a plurality of abutting input data values, each input data value containing a plurality of multi-bit portions, said apparatus comprising:
- (i) splitting logic operable to split said multi-bit portions of said input data values between a plurality of intermediate data words, each intermediate data word containing a plurality of said multi-bit portions taken from respective input data values, said multi-bit portions being separated by vacant portions within said intermediate data words;
- (ii) processing logic operable to perform one or more data processing operations upon said intermediate data words, said data processing operations being such that, within at least one of said intermediate data words, a multi-bit data portion may at least temporarily extend in length into a vacant portion of said intermediate data word and one or more data processing operations performed upon at least one intermediate data word differs from one or more data processing operations performed upon a different intermediate data word;
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- (iii) combining logic operable to combine said intermediate data words to form an output data word containing a plurality of abutting output data values each formed from a plurality of separately processed multi-bit data portions taken from respective intermediate data words.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.