The design of a Polymorphic Arithmetic Unit

This paper presents results which stem from a research effort concerned with the specification and design of arithmetic units which can execute nonstandard integer and floating-point arithmetic. An arithmetic unit is proposed whose characteristics are based on user specifications and subsequently is termed a Polymorphic Arithmetic Unit (PAU). The user binds the identity of the PAU by specifying the contents of various descriptors and semantic interpretation tables which the PAU accesses during its execution. This capability removes several of the restrictions found in commercially available arithmetic units and potentially assists in mak-ink mathematically software portable.