Program product and data processing system

Abstract

In the present invention, an input and/or output interface of at least one of a plurality of processing units forming a data processing system is designated independently of timing of execution of the processing unit, so as to allow the plurality of processing units to define various data paths at the program level. The present invention makes it possible to flexibly execute individual complicated data processes with hardware at a high speed without having various dedicated circuits fixed specifically to the respective data processings.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a control program product described with microcodes or the like, and a data processing system capable of executing the control program. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0002] Processors (data processing systems or LSIs) incorporating an operation function such as microprocessor (MPU) and digital signal processor (DSP) are known as apparatuses for conducting general-purpose processing and special digital data processing. Architectural factors that have significantly contributed to improved performance of these processors include pipelining technology, super-pipelining technology, super-scalar technology, VLIW technology, and addition of specialized data paths (special purpose instructions). The architectural elements further include branch prediction, register bank, cache technology, and the like. [0003] In the VLIW technology, the data paths are configured in advance so as to allow for parallel execution, optimization is conducted so t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018] Accordingly, in the present invention, it is desirable to employ as the processing unit a circuit unit including a specific internal data path(s). The processing units having somewhat compact data paths are prepared as templates and combinations of the data paths are designated so as to conduct the data-flow-type processing. In addition, a part of the internal data path of the processing unit is selected according to the data flow designation instruction so as to change the function or content of processing performed in the processing unit. As a result, the hardware becomes more flexibly reconfigured in a short time.

[0019] For example, a processing unit including at least one logic gate and the internal data path(s) connecting the logic gate with the input/output interfaces makes it possible to change the processing content of the processing unit by changing the order of data to be input/output to the logic gate, changing connection between the logic gates or selecting the logic gate, and these changing and/or selecting are possible only selecting a part of the internal data path that is prepared in advance. Therefore, the content of processing in the processing unit is varied in a reduced or shorter time as compared to the FPGA that reconfigures the circuitry are possible in the transistor level. Moreover, the use of the internal data path t

Problems solved by technology

Conventionally, the only way to handle with a complicated data processing is to prepare dedicated circu

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