DATA POINTERS WITH FAST CONTEXT SWITCHING

摘要

An apparatus and method for implementing multiple data pointer registers in a device and a means of quickly switching the active context between the data pointer registers The device includes dual data pointers stored in separate registers A configuration register is operable for providing a first signal specifying either the first data pointer or the second data pointer as an active data pointer An instruction decoder is operable to receive a first type of data pointer instruction and outputting a signal indicative of the first type of data pointer instruction Decoding logic is coupled to the data pointer registers, the configuration register and the instruction decoder The decoding logic is operable for outputting one of the data pointers as the active data pointer in response to the first and second signals, where the one is not indicated by the first signal.