Method and predictor for streamlining execution of convert-to-integer operations

Abstract

During execution of floating point convert to integer instructions, the necessity for incrementing the instruction result during rounding is predicted early and utilized to predict the result sign, to produce an implied bit which will achieve the correct result with round determination logic for standard floating point instructions, and to set up rounding mode, guard and sticky bits allowing the standard round determination logic to be utilized during rounding of the floating point convert to integer instruction result. The minimum logic required to control incrementing of a standard floating point instruction result during rounding may therefore be reused for floating point convert to integer instructions without increasing the critical path for rounding and without significantly adding to the complexity of the floating point execution unit.