Thank you for the response, Andrew.

Given that these operations are intended to be conveniences, in the first place (hence: vector), the addition of a required macro for inclusion could be considered a basic element. Fixed point is almost always going to be used in conjunction with other data formats, and the conversion, as you say, could be two instructions - or it could be one.

The confusion my team and I are having with fixed point is not so much with the implementation, but the use-case. If we're going to have fixed-point in RISC-V, how about we look at how it's used and build that? Barring a (possibly necessary) overhaul, making the specification optional *entirely* - separating it out from the rest of vector, may be a compelling option.