CAD/CAM

April 3, 1997
Speedier CAD hardware and more adept software combine to help manufacturers speed products to market and reduce development time
MMX PCs

MMX is special processing circuitry built into Pentium processors. To a programmer, it appears as 57 special instructions for accelerating multimedia operations and communications within the PC. Benefits include improvements in audio and video playback, image processing, and 3D rendering. Intel has said it will incorporate MMX instructions in all its future processors.

PCs including the MMX technology have begun reaching the market. Typical features include 32 Mbytes of main memory, a 2-Gbyte hard drive, a 6X or better CD-ROM drive, 16-bit sound system, and Super VGA graphics.

Functionally, MMX processing uses single instruction, multiple data (SIMD) techniques to perform one calculation simultaneously on multiple data elements. Making such operations possible is a 64-bit register into which the processor packs multiple operands of 8, 16, or 32 bits each. Mathematical operations can take place simultaneously on each operand occupying this register. To prevent overflow conditions, MMX also uses saturating arithmetic which limits the value of math functions.

MMX instructions are written to help programmers avoid the need to branch to remote sections of the program. This heads off slowdowns resulting when a processor must fetch code from an unexpected memory location.

MMX resembles Risc processing in that most MMX instructions execute during one clock cycle. Many of these are frequently used in graphics and image manipulation. For example, one instruction performs a high-speed multiply- accumulate, computing the sum of a series of products. This is a key operation in digital signal processing as often applied in applications such as telephony and process control.

Sponsored Recommendations

NEW Low Profile, Ultra Compact Power Supplies

March 13, 2024
Learn more HERE about Altech's Power supplies!

Altech's Liquid Tight Strain Relifs Catalog

March 13, 2024
With experienced Product Engineers and Customer Service personnel, Altech provides solutions to your most pressing application challenges. All with one thought in mind - to ensure...

Industrial Straight-Through Cable Gland

March 13, 2024
Learn more about Altech's cable glands and all they have to offer for your needs!

All-In-One DC-UPS Power Solutions

March 13, 2024
Introducing the All-In-One DC-UPS, a versatile solution combining multiple functionalities in a single device. Serving as a power supply, battery charger, battery care module,...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Machine Design, create an account today!