Fingerprint units comparing stored static fingerprints with dynamically generated fingerprints and reconfiguring processor settings upon a fingerprint match

摘要

A microprocessor includes a plurality of dynamically reconfigurable functional units, a fingerprint, and a fingerprint unit. As the plurality of dynamically reconfigurable functional units execute instructions according to a first configuration setting, the fingerprint unit accumulates information about the instructions according to a mathematical operation to generate a result. The microprocessor also includes a reconfiguration unit that reconfigures the plurality of dynamically reconfigurable functional units to execute instructions according to a second configuration setting in response to an indication that the result matches the fingerprint.