Control bit vector storage for a microprocessor

摘要

A control bit vector storage is provided. The present control bit vector storage (preferably included within a functional unit) stores control bits indicative of a particular instruction. The control bits are divided into multiple control vectors, each vector indicative of one instruction operation. The control bits control dataflow elements within the functional unit to cause the instruction operation to be performed. Additionally, the present control bit vector storage allows complex instructions (or instructions which produce multiple results) to be divided into simpler operations. The hardware included within the functional unit may be reduced to that employed to perform the simpler operations. In one embodiment, the control bit vector storage comprises a plurality of vector storages. Each vector storage comprises a pair of individual vector storages and a shared vector storage. The shared vector storage stores control bits common to both control vectors.