Patent ID: 7698542
Filing Date: 2010-04-13
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method for evaluating a plurality of program counter (PC) values in a microprocessor, whereby it is examined whether at least one program counter value of the plurality of program counter values lies within a predefined first range of values, the plurality of program counter values defining a second range of values, the first range of values and the second range of values each comprising a lower boundary value and an upper boundary value, wherein the first range of values comprises a predetermined maximum width, the method comprising examining a section of the first range of values and the second range of values comprising: i. examining whether the lower boundary value of the first range of values is greater than the upper boundary value of the second range of values, and if so, determining that the section of the first and second range of values is empty; and ii. examining whether a sum of the lower boundary value of the first range of values and the predetermined maximum width of the first range of values is smaller than the lower boundary value of the second range of values, and if so, determining that the section of the first and second range of values is empty.