A multithreaded processor including a shared functional unit. In one
embodiment, the multithreaded processor includes a functional unit
coupled to a multithreaded instruction source that may request access to
use the functional unit. The multithreaded processor may also include a
processing unit that is coupled to request access to use the functional
unit. The functional unit may be configured to execute one of an
instruction provided by the multithreaded instruction source and an
operation provided by the processing unit in a given cycle dependent upon
which of the multithreaded instruction source and the processing unit has
a higher priority.