Data processing device to compress and decompress VLIW instructions by selectively storing non-branch NOP instructions

摘要

A data processing device includes an instruction storage memory which stores load instructions by eliminating NOP instructions for insertion into a load module of a VLIW computer. The data processing device also includes a device to expand the compressed load module automatically by a hardware circuit during instruction execution. The data processing device compresses and stores specific instruction code strings in memory with information indicating a form of compression and then restores the instruction code strings to an original format when read from memory according to the compression information. Information indicating an original storage position is attached to each instruction code, instruction code strings are stored in memory without specific instruction codes, and then restored to the original code strings when read from memory according to the storage position information.