Editing Coprocessor (section)

==Functionality==
Coprocessors vary in their degree of autonomy. Some (such as [[floating-point unit|FPU]]s) rely on direct control via [[instruction set architecture#Coprocessor instructions|coprocessor instructions]], embedded in the [[Central processing unit|CPU]]'s [[Single instruction, single data|instruction stream]]. Others are independent processors in their own right, capable of working asynchronously; they are still not optimized for [[application software|general-purpose code]], or they are incapable of it due to a limited [[instruction set]] focused on [[Hardware acceleration|accelerating specific tasks]]. It is common for these to be driven by [[direct memory access]] (DMA), with the host processor (a CPU) building a [[command list]]. The [[PlayStation 2]]'s [[Emotion Engine]] contained an unusual [[digital signal processor|DSP]]-like [[Single instruction, multiple data|SIMD]] [[vector processor|vector unit]] capable of both modes of operation.