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Apparatus and method for using checking instructions in a floating-point execution unit

  • US 6,247,117 B1
  • Filed: 03/08/1999
  • Issued: 06/12/2001
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/08/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for executing instructions in a microprocessor, comprising:

  • a flag register, wherein said flag register includes a plurality of flags; and

    a first execution unit coupled to said flag register, wherein said first execution unit is configured to execute a plurality of microinstructions corresponding to a floating-point instruction, wherein said floating-point instruction specifies a first operand, and wherein said first execution unit is configured to generate a first result corresponding to said floating-point instruction;

    wherein said plurality of microinstructions include a checking instruction, wherein said first execution unit, in response to said checking instruction, is configured to;

    (i) determine whether a first operand value of said first operand specified by said floating-point instruction corresponds to a first special or exceptional case of a defined data format; and

    (ii) signal said flag register to set one or more of said plurality of flags if said first operand value corresponds to said first special or exceptional case of said defined data format.

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