Microcomputer systems having compressed instruction processing capability and methods of operating same

摘要

Microcomputer systems include an instruction processor therein that can process both normal length instructions and compressed instructions. The normal length instructions and the compressed instructions are provided from memory to an instruction register and then passed through decoding circuitry to a processor core. The decoding circuitry preferably comprises a demultiplexer having a data input that receives a first multi-bit instruction from the instruction register and a select input that receives a first select signal (SEL1). A compressed instruction decoder is also provided. The compressed instruction decoder has a data input electrically coupled to a first data output of the demultiplexer and a select input that receives a second select signal (SEL2). A multiplexer is also provided. The multiplexer has a first data input electrically coupled to an output of the compressed instruction decoder, a second data input electrically coupled to a second data output of the demultiplexer and a select input that receives the first select signal (SEL1). The output of the demultiplexer is electrically coupled to the processor core.