Patent ID: 6178435
Filing Date: 2001-01-23
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A method for executing a floating-point instruction, said method comprising the steps of:storing a floating-point number within a memory of a data processing system having a processor, wherein said floating-point number includes a sign bit, a plurality of exponent bits, and a mantissa having an implied one and a plurality of fraction bits;in response to a floating-point instruction:partitioning said mantissa into an integer part and a fraction part, based on said exponent bits; andyielding a floating-point result by assigning said integer part of said floating-point number as an unbiased exponent of said floating-point result, and by converting said fraction part of said floating-point number via a table lookup to become a fraction part of said floating-point result; andstoring said floating-point result in said memory.