Stmicroelectronics S.a.

Laurent Uguen

Andrew Cofler

Thomas Alofs

Sébastien Ferroussat

A method of transferring guard values and a computer system, such as a processor for digital signal processing, including a parallel set of execution units that utilizes the method. A master set of guard indicators is held in association with one of the execution units. If other execution units require the guard values for particular guard indicators, a sendguard instruction is issued to the execution unit holding the master guard values. The sendguard instructions are held in a separate queue from the main instructions intended for that execution unit. Circuitry is provided in the execution unit to avoid stalling in the dispatch of sendguard instructions even in the context of earlier guard modifying instructions.

High priority guard transfer for execution control of dependent guarded instructions

A memory system comprises a memory array having a plurality of memory locations; a plurality of write ports for writing to the memory array; write protection circuitry for preventing more than one memory location from being addressed at the same time in a write operation, the write protection circuitry providing one write enable signal for each write port, the write enable signals being applied to the memory array; and circuitry for controlling the timing of the application of the write enable signals to the memory array, the circuitry for controlling the timing being upstream of the write protection circuitry.

Growing community of inventors

Lesneven, France

Laurent Uguen