Instruction Conversion Module for Legacy Processor Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Previous-generation processors cannot execute new instructions, leading to unknown instruction exceptions and termination of processes, making it necessary to convert instructions to enable execution on older processors without modifying their hardware architecture.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that receive an unknown instruction, determine if it is new, and convert it into one or more old instructions for execution, utilizing a conversion module and simulator to process and execute the instructions in system management mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If new instructions are added to subsequent-generation processors, then processor functionality and performance are improved, but compatibility with previous-generation processors deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A conversion module is introduced as an intermediary between the new instruction stream and the previous-generation processor. The conversion module receives new instructions, translates them into equivalent old instructions, and outputs the translated instructions for execution by the previous-generation processor. This mediator resolves the incompatibility without modifying either the processor hardware or the original instruction set.
Solution Approach 2:
The conversion module creates a copy or translation of the new instruction set into the old instruction set format. Instead of directly executing new instructions on a previous-generation processor, the system generates equivalent old instructions that replicate the functionality of the new instructions, allowing the older hardware to perform the same operations.
2Reliability
If hardware architecture of previous-generation processors is modified to execute new instructions, then instruction compatibility is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/hardware approach with a software/firmware approach. Instead of physically modifying the processor hardware to support new instructions, the solution uses a conversion module (software or firmware component) to translate instructions. This substitution avoids increasing hardware complexity while achieving the same compatibility goal.
Solution Approach 2:
The conversion module changes the parameter representation of instructions from new instruction format to old instruction format. By transforming the instruction parameters (opcode, operands, encoding) rather than changing the hardware parameters, the system achieves compatibility without increasing device complexity.
3Speed
If previous-generation processors execute new instructions directly, then processing speed is maintained, but unknown instruction exceptions occur causing process termination
Solution Approach 1:
The conversion module performs preliminary translation of new instructions into old instructions before they reach the previous-generation processor. This advance conversion prevents unknown instruction exceptions from occurring during execution, ensuring stable process continuation while maintaining efficient processing through direct execution of the translated instructions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for converting instructions is provided. The method is used in a processor and includes: receiving an instruction, wherein the instruction is an unknown instruction; determining whether the received instruction is a new instruction; and converting the received instruction into at least one old instruction when the received instruction is a new instruction.