Patent ID: 8671268

Claim:
A configurable execution unit comprising: a configurable operator module capable of being dynamically configured at a level of processing multi-bit operand values by a data processing instruction and being connectable to receive input operands indicated in the data processing instruction, wherein the at least one configurable operator module is dynamically configurable by operator configuration settings to adjust operator function and/or behavior within a general operation class characterized in that the at least one configurable operator module is hard-wired to support a predetermined class of operation; a programmable lookup table implemented as a programmable logic array connectable to receive (i) dynamic configuration information determined from an opcode portion of the data processing instruction and (ii) one or more control output(s) from the configurable operator module, the programmable logic array operable to translate the dynamic configuration information with the control output(s) into the operator configuration settings defining an aspect of the function and/or behavior of the configurable operator module for dynamically configuring the configurable operator module on an instruction-by-instruction basis, the programmable lookup table comprising pseudo static control information provided independently of the data processing instruction carrying the dynamic configuration information; and a configurable switch fabric connected to provide said input operands to the configurable operator module and having connectivity defined at least in part by the pseudo static control information provided independently of the data processing instruction carrying the dynamic configuration information, wherein said configurable switching fabric comprises one or more of: a configurable interconnect means connected upstream of the configurable operator module and configurable output interconnect means connected downstream of the configurable operator module.