Bit Up-Conversion With Sign Extension Using Pointer Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computing technologies face inefficiencies in bit depth conversion, particularly when transitioning from lower to higher bit depths, especially in machine learning computations, which can impact power consumption and require additional hardware or complex code modifications for sign extension.
Innovation Solution
A method and device configuration that convert input values from a lower bit depth to a higher bit depth as unsigned data, adjust pointers based on the original bit depth, and perform computations with subsequent right shift operations to maintain precision and efficiency, optimizing bit up-conversion without the need for extensive hardware support or code modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional sign extension methods are used for bit depth conversion, then signed numbers can be properly converted from lower to higher bit depth, but additional hardware resources and complex code modifications are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pointer copying to replicate the input data buffer pointer for use in both unsigned conversion and signed extension operations. This allows the same data to be processed multiple times without duplicating the actual data storage, reducing memory resources while maintaining conversion accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary pointer adjustment mechanism that mediates between the original input data and the computation operation. By adjusting the pointer to point to the appropriate portion of the data buffer, the system achieves signed extension functionality without requiring dedicated hardware circuits or complex code modifications
2Measurement precision
If bit depth conversion is performed using conventional methods, then precision can be maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary portion of the data buffer by adjusting the pointer to point to the specific starting position. This allows the system to perform computations on a subset of the data without processing the entire buffer, reducing computational overhead and power consumption while maintaining the required precision for the conversion operation
3Productivity
If pointer adjustment is performed based on bit depth, then unsigned conversion efficiency is improved, but complexity of the conversion process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pointer parameter (its value and position) based on the bit depth of the input data. By dynamically adjusting the pointer to reflect the appropriate offset and size for the given bit depth, the system achieves efficient unsigned conversion while the complexity is managed through a systematic parameter adjustment approach rather than complex control logic
Data Source
AI summary
A technique for bit depth up-conversion including obtaining an input value for a computation in a first bit depth with a fewer number of bits as compared to a second bit depth, converting the input value from the first bit depth to the second bit depth as an unsigned data value, adjusting a pointer to the converted input value based on the first bit depth, performing the computation based on the adjusted pointer to obtain an adjusted output value, and performing a right shift operation on the adjusted output value based on the first bit depth to obtain an output value.