Vector processor having functional unit paths of differing pipeline lengths

摘要

A vector processor includes functional unit paths, each having an input and an output, and with at least one functional unit path including a plurality of pipelined functional elements coupled to the respective path input and output in parallel. The functional elements have different pipeline lengths to complete processing of operands applied to the path input. Program instruction initiation means responds to a first instruction to initiate processing of first operand data in a first of the functional elements, and responds to a second instruction to initiate the processing of second operand data in a second of the functional elements dependent upon completion of the first instruction but only if the second functional element has a pipeline length equal to or greater than the pipeline length of the first functional element.