Graphic processor unit and method of operating the same

Abstract

A method of operating a graphic processor unit includes detecting from a program code a code area that instructs a load/store unit to load data stored in a plurality of rows of a memory to registers of a register file using a scheduler; and, using a load/store unit, loading data to the at least one register in response to instructions corresponding to the code area. A second instruction of the instructions instructs the load/store unit to write control information in a control register of the at least one register. The control information includes at least mask bits designating selected rows of the memory that store data to be loaded from the plurality of rows of the memory, a span field representing a relationship of the plurality of rows of the memory to each other and a stride field. A third instruction of the instruction instructs the load/store unit to store the data sequentially from a row of the memory corresponding to an address written in a base register of the register file to a first register of the register file, according to the control information.