Execution of a computer program
AssigneeSTMicroelectronics S.r.l.
InventorsAndrew Cofler, Stéphane Bouvier, Bruno Fel, Laurent Ducousso
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A computer system has a memory which holds a computer program consisting of a sequence of program instructions. The format of the program instructions depends on an instruction mode of the computer system. A decoder is arranged to receive and decode program instructions. A microinstruction generator is responsive to information from the decoder to generate microinstructions according to a predetermined microinstruction format which is independent of the instruction mode of the computer system. The computer system has a plurality of parallel execution units for receiving and executing the microinstructions.
Claims13
A computer system comprising:
- a memory holding a computer program consisting of a sequence of program instructions, the format of the program instructions being selectable in dependence on an instruction mode of the computer system;
- a decoder arranged to receive and decode program instructions from the memory;
- a microinstruction generator responsive to information from the decoder to generate microinstructions according to a predetermined microinstruction format having a plurality of fields of respectively fixed lengths allocated to hold certain data derived from the program instructions, the microinstruction format being independent of the instruction mode of the computer system;
- and
- a plurality of parallel execution units for receiving and executing said microinstructions.
A method of executing a computer program consisting of a sequence of program instructions held in a memory of a computer system, wherein the format of the program instructions is selectable in dependence on an instruction mode of the computer system, the method comprising:
- decoding said program instructions;
- generating microinstructions responsive to information from the decoded program instructions according to a predetermined microinstruction format having a plurality of fields of respectively fixed length allocated to hold certain data derived from the program instructions, the microistruction format being independent of the instruction mode of the computer system;
- and
- supplying said microinstructions to one or more of a plurality of parallel execution units for receiving and executing said microinstructions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.