Functional units for computers.

摘要

A functional unit such as a CPU (10) follows one data ordering scheme internally, in which incoming and/or outgoing data pass through a data order conversion unit for realigning the data to a selectable external data ordering scheme. A means (28) for specifying the external data ordering scheme is accessible from outside the physical package(s) in which the functional unit is housed. The data order conversion unit may comprise a load aligner (20) and/or a store aligner (22), one or both of which may comprise means for shifting informational units of a smaller size within informational units of a larger size. The shift amount may derive from the low order address bits and may be altered depending on the external data ordering scheme selected.