Patent ID: 6282558
Filing Date: 2001-08-28
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A data processing system which performs a saturation processing function on the occurrence of arithmetic overflow, said data processing system comprising:(a) an arithmetic unit which performs a function of executing a specified arithmetic operation and generating an overflow signal indicative of the presence or absence of an occurrence of overflow in said arithmetic operation,(b) a data register for storing data representative of an arithmetic operation result produced in said arithmetic unit,(c) an overflow flag register for storing said overflow signal generated in said arithmetic unit as an overflow flag, and(d) a selector for selecting between said data stored in said data register and a fixed saturation value for forwarding to said arithmetic unit at the moment when said data register is about to be read:if said overflow flag indicates the absence of an occurrence of arithmetic overflow, said selector then selects and provides said data stored in said data register to said arithmetic unit, andif said overflow flag indicates the presence of an occurrence of arithmetic overflow, said selector then selects and provides said fixed saturation value to said arithmetic unit.