Loop data processing system and method for dividing a loop into phases

A data processing method of a data processing system in which a loop accelerator executing a loop of a program and in which the data processing system shares data used during a program execution through a central register file by configuring a process core executing the program and an array with a plurality of data processing cells according to a set of configuration bits, the method, for a single iteration of the loop, comprising:

• configuring the array to fetch data for the loop execution from the central register file;
• fetching the data by the array from the central register file;
• configuring the array to execute the loop using the fetched data;
• executing the loop by the array using the fetched data;
• configuring the array to write data which is obtained through the loop execution to the central register file;
• and
• writing, by the array, the data obtained through the loop execution to the central register file,
• wherein, in the configuring of the array and in the executing of the loop, the array is configured not to perform data exchange between the central register file and the loop accelerator, and
• wherein the loop accelerator releases the central register file from the processor core during the configuring of the array and the executing of the loop,
• wherein at least some data processing cells of the plurality of data processing cells which are used to fetch data for the loop execution from the central file register in the first phase, are used to execute the loop in the second phase;
• and
• wherein the loop accelerator comprises a configuration memory which stores at least three sets of configuration bits for configuring the array according to the at least three phases.