ARMT Recovery Circuit Segmentation Power Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for recovering an architecture register mapping table (ARMT) in superscalar microprocessors are power inefficient due to the large number of comparators required, leading to significant dynamic and leakage power consumption during the recovery process, especially when exceptions or branch mispredictions occur.
Innovation Solution
The recovery system divides the recovery process into three cycles, utilizing a physical register mapping table (PRMT) to restore the ARMT by decoding and mapping physical register information, reducing the need for comparators and spreading power consumption over multiple cycles, thereby minimizing power loss and maintaining timing sufficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a large number of comparators are used to recover the ARMT in one cycle, then the recovery speed is improved, but the power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the ARMT recovery process into multiple cycles (specifically three cycles) and segments the comparators into different groups that operate in different cycles. This segmentation allows the system to use fewer comparators at any given moment while still completing the full recovery process, thereby reducing peak power consumption while maintaining acceptable recovery speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic operation of comparator groups, where different sets of comparators are activated in different cycles based on the recovery progress. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize power consumption by activating only the necessary comparator groups at each stage rather than all comparators simultaneously.
2Loss of time
If the ARMT recovery is completed in one cycle using many comparators, then the recovery time is reduced, but the leakage power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The recovery process is segmented into multiple cycles with different comparator groups operating in each cycle. This segmentation spreads the leakage power consumption across multiple cycles rather than concentrating it in one cycle, reducing the overall leakage power impact while completing the recovery within an acceptable time frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by operating different comparator groups in different cycles. This periodic activation pattern allows the system to manage leakage power consumption more effectively by having idle comparator groups power down between cycles, reducing overall energy loss.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for recovering an architecture register mapping table (ARMT). The system includes a first number of collection circuits and decode circuits, a second number of selection circuits, and an enable circuit. Information related to the mapping between each physical register and an appropriate architecture register is obtained from a physical register mapping table (PRMT) by one and only one collection circuit during only one of a fourth number of instruction cycles. Each decode circuit has its input coupled to the output of one different collection circuit and is capable of converting its input into a third number bit wide binary string selection code at its output. Each selection circuit is configured to receive from each selection code a bit from a bit position associated with that selection circuit. The enable circuit is configured to appropriately enable mapping of information from the PRMT to the ARMT.