Buffer Eviction Priority for Data Processing Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current graphics processing systems face inefficiencies in data processing operations due to frequent fetching and writing of data values between the execution unit and primary storage, leading to increased latency and energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A buffer is introduced between the primary storage and the execution unit, with a buffer controller that selects data values for eviction based on priority indications associated with instructions, reducing the need for frequent data transfers and optimizing data value retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data values are frequently fetched and written between execution unit and primary storage, then data processing operations can be performed, but latency increases and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediate buffer is introduced between the execution unit and primary storage to reduce frequent data transfers. The buffer stores data values locally, allowing the execution unit to access data without repeatedly fetching from primary storage, thereby reducing latency while maintaining processing throughput.
2Productivity
If data values are frequently fetched and written between execution unit and primary storage, then data processing operations can be performed, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate buffer serves as a mediator that reduces the frequency of data transfers between execution unit and primary storage. By keeping data values in the buffer, the system avoids repeated high-energy transfer operations while maintaining data processing productivity.
3Speed
If all data values are retained in the buffer, then data access speed improves, but buffer size requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of data retention by selectively retaining only those data values that are likely to be reused, rather than retaining all data values. This is achieved through eviction priority indications that guide the buffer controller in making intelligent retention decisions, maintaining fast access speed while limiting buffer size requirements.
4Device complexity
If data eviction is performed without priority consideration, then buffer management is simple, but data value reuse efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback through eviction priority indications that are associated with each data value in the buffer. The buffer controller uses these priority indications to make informed eviction decisions, ensuring that data values likely to be reused are retained while evicting less useful data, thereby improving reuse efficiency without excessive complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A data processor includes an execution unit that executes instructions to perform data processing operations, a register file operable to store data values for use by and produced by the execution unit, and a buffer intermediate between the register file for providing data values from the register file to the execution unit for use when executing an instruction, and to receive output data values from the execution unit for writing to the register file.Instructions to be executed by the execution unit of the data processor have associated buffer eviction priority indications representative of a priority for eviction from the buffer of an output data value that will be generated when executing the instruction. The buffer eviction priority indications are then used when selecting data values to evict from the buffer.