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Abstract

A method and apparatus predict whether an overflow or underflow floating-point exception could occur as a result of a data processing system performing a particular floating-point operation. Predictions are made based on at least one overflow threshold value, at least first and second underflow threshold values, and a preliminary result exponent value derived from the values of the exponents of the floating-point numbers that are about to be acted upon. The preliminary result exponent is compared to an overflow or underflow threshold value in order to predict whether there is a possibility that an overflow or underflow floating-point exception could occur. Overflow and underflow exceptions are predicted and an exception prediction signal is generated. The exception prediction signals that are generated may be used by data processing system control units, for example, to temporarily halt any parallel processing operations that may be affected by an overflow or underflow floating-point exception.

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First Claim