AI Chip Data Type Converter Using a Unified Intermediate Format
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional data type conversion methods in artificial intelligence chips suffer from low efficiency and poor scalability, leading to increased computation loads, power consumption, and complex circuit design due to the need for multiple conversion paths and repeated calculations.
Innovation Solution
A converter system that includes a first conversion stage to receive data and descriptive information, converting it into an intermediate result, and a second stage to convert this result into the desired data type, reducing complexity and power consumption by using a unified intermediate representation for all data types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional data type conversion methods are used with multiple conversion paths, then all data types can be converted, but the circuit design becomes complex and computation load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate representation (IR) as a mediator between different data types. All conversions go through this unified IR format rather than requiring direct conversion paths between every pair of data types. This intermediary structure simplifies the overall conversion architecture while maintaining the ability to handle diverse data type conversions.
Solution Approach 2:
The converter is designed with a universal intermediate representation that can represent multiple data types (floating-point, fixed-point, integer, etc.) in a unified format. This universal IR structure allows the same conversion infrastructure to handle various data type conversions, reducing the need for separate specialized conversion circuits for each data type pair.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple conversion paths are implemented for different data types, then comprehensive conversion is achieved, but computation load and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
By using the intermediate representation as a common intermediary, the patent reduces redundant computation. Instead of computing conversion operations multiple times for different target types, the system performs conversion to the intermediate representation once, then derives different output types from this single intermediate result, significantly reducing computational load and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple conversion operations into a single unified conversion process through the intermediate representation. Multiple output types are generated from a single intermediate result rather than requiring separate conversion chains, thereby combining computational efforts and reducing overall power consumption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If new data type conversion functions are added to traditional computation units, then functionality is expanded, but the computation unit area increases multiple times
Solution Approach 1:
The converter employs a universal intermediate representation structure that can accommodate multiple data types and conversion scenarios within a single computation unit. This universal design allows the same hardware infrastructure to support various data type conversions without requiring separate dedicated circuits for each conversion type, thereby preventing exponential area growth.
Solution Approach 2:
The computation unit is designed with dynamic configurability through the intermediate representation system. The same conversion infrastructure can be dynamically configured to handle different data type conversions by changing the interpretation and processing of the intermediate result, rather than requiring static dedicated circuits for each conversion type.
4Adaptability or versatility
If software-based data type conversion is used, then flexibility is maintained, but computation speed becomes a performance bottleneck
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces software-based conversion mechanisms with a hardware-implemented converter that uses a unified intermediate representation. This hardware implementation provides the flexibility of software-based approaches while achieving the speed of hardware execution, eliminating the performance bottleneck associated with software-based data type conversion.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a converter for data type conversion, a method for data type conversion, an integrated circuit chip, and a calculation apparatus, where the calculation apparatus may be included in a combined processing apparatus, where the combined processing apparatus may further include a general interconnection interface and other processing apparatus. The calculation apparatus interacts with other processing apparatus to jointly complete a calculation operation specified by a user. The combined processing apparatus may further include a storage apparatus. The storage apparatus is connected to the calculation apparatus and other processing apparatus, respectively. The storage apparatus is used for storing data of the calculation apparatus and other processing apparatus. Solutions of the present disclosure may be widely applied to various data type conversion applications.