Microprocessor with selected partitions disabled during block repeat

摘要

A microprocessor and a method of operating the microprocessor are provided in which a portion of the microprocessor is partitioned into a plurality of partitions. A sequence of instructions is executed within an instruction pipeline of the microprocessor. A block of instructions within the sequence of instructions is repetitively executed in response to a local repeat instruction. Either prior to executing the block of instructions, or during the first iteration of the loop, a determination is made that at least one of the plurality of partitions is not needed to execute the block of instructions. Operation of the at least one identified partition is inhibited during the repetitive execution of the block of instructions in order to reduce power dissipation.