Arithmetic Operation With Shift Instruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data processing systems incur performance and power consumption costs due to the need for additional instructions to trim intermediate results from arithmetic operations like multiplication back to the original precision, which increases latency and power usage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an arithmetic shift instruction with a programmable shift indication allows for a single instruction to select the target portion of the intermediate result, eliminating the need for subsequent instructions and improving efficiency by directly generating the desired bit width.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If additional instructions are used to trim intermediate results back to original precision, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to increased latency and power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the arithmetic operation and the precision trimming operation into a single instruction called 'arithmetic operation with shift'. This merging eliminates the need for separate trim instructions, reducing latency and power consumption while maintaining the required precision. The shift field within the single instruction directly controls the output precision, achieving both high precision and high performance.
2Manufacturing precision
If additional instructions are used to trim intermediate results, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to multiple instruction cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the arithmetic operation and precision control into a single instruction execution cycle. The intermediate result from the arithmetic operation is automatically shifted to the desired precision without requiring additional instruction cycles, thereby eliminating the time loss associated with multiple instructions while maintaining precise control over the output format.
3Manufacturing precision
If additional instructions are used to trim intermediate results, then manufacturing precision is improved, but use of energy increases due to extra instruction execution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates the arithmetic operation and precision trimming into a single instruction, which executes in one operation cycle. This merging eliminates the additional energy consumption that would result from executing separate trim instructions, while still achieving the desired precision through the integrated shift mechanism controlled by the shift field.
4Device complexity
If a fixed number of bits are allocated for arithmetic operations, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates due to inability to adjust precision dynamically
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a programmable shift field within the arithmetic operation instruction that allows dynamic adjustment of the output precision. This enables the system to adaptively select different precision levels (different numbers of significant bits) based on the specific computational requirements, providing flexibility without requiring complex additional hardware for precision management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of output precision dynamically by utilizing the shift field in the instruction. By modifying the shift value, the system can adjust the number of significant bits in the result, allowing flexible precision control for different arithmetic operations while maintaining a relatively simple device structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method are provided for efficiently performing arithmetic operations that include at least a multiplication operation. The apparatus comprises processing circuitry to perform data processing operations, and instruction decode circuitry responsive to program instructions to generate control signals to control the processing circuitry to perform the data processing operations. In response to an arithmetic operation with shift instruction specifying performance of an arithmetic operation comprising at least a multiplication operation, and having a field which provides a programmable shift indication, the instruction decode circuitry is configured to control the processing circuitry to perform the arithmetic operation during which an intermediate value is produced, and to select a target portion of the intermediate value based on an output window determined from the programmable shift indication.