MMX-like architecture extension to support the rotation operation

Some of the most important and extended algorithms used for multimedia applications can be formulated in terms of rotations. In this paper we present guidelines to modify the current architecture of MMX-like processors to support rotation efficiently. To perform the rotations we have selected the CORDIC algorithm for two reasons: first, it has proved to be one of the best for this operation, and second, the architecture of the CORDIC algorithm is sufficiently simple to be adapted to current processors with no serious modifications to the original processor structure. Therefore, we consider it feasible to include this kind of operation in future versions of the multimedia extension of general purpose processors.