Patent ID: 7908463
Filing Date: 2011-03-15
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A processing unit comprising: an instruction decode unit configured to decode instructions which are to be executed by the processing unit, wherein, for each instruction, the instruction decode unit is configured to determine a location of a constant embedded within the instruction; and a constant steer network coupled to receive, from the instruction decode unit, location information indicating the location of the constant, the constant steer network including a plurality of constant steer units, wherein each of the constant steer units includes: wherein a first extraction unit of a first constant steer unit is configured to extract a constant of up to a predetermined size from the instruction based on the location information received from the instruction decode unit, wherein, in response to detecting a constant of a size greater than the predetermined size, the processing unit is configured to use a second extraction unit of a second constant steer unit along with the first extraction unit to acquire the constant.