Patent ID: 7236995
Filing Date: 2007-06-26
Classification: G06F,H03M

Abstract:
1. A data processing apparatus comprising: a data processing unit operable to execute instructions; the data processing unit being responsive to a format conversion instruction to apply a format conversion operation to a number to perform a conversion between a fixed-point representation of said number and a floating-point representation of said number, a control field provided within the format conversion instruction and arranged to provide a programmable value specifying a decimal point location within the fixed-point representation of said number, and the data processing unit being operable to reference the control field and to control the format conversion operation in accordance with the programmable value, wherein the format conversion instruction is a floating-point to fixed-point conversion instruction and the format conversion operation applied to the number is operable to perform a conversion from the floating-point representation of said number to the fixed-point representation of said number, wherein the programmable value is provided as an immediate value within the control field.