Butterfly Network Data Alignment for Load Return Streams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern digital signal processors face challenges with increasing workloads, memory bandwidth limitations, and memory system latency, particularly in real-time data processing, which affects memory access and data transformation efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A digital data processor with a streaming engine that recalls a predetermined sequence of data elements for processing, utilizing a multilayer butterfly network to transform and align data streams, and employs precalculated inputs and simple combinatorial logic for control signals to manage multiplexers, reducing complexity and enhancing data transformation capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a multilayer butterfly network is used to transform and align data streams, then data transformation capability is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple multiplexers and control circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent precalculates the inputs and control signals for the butterfly network before execution. The control signals for each layer are calculated in parallel based on the input and output patterns, which simplifies the control circuit complexity while maintaining the data transformation capability of the multilayer butterfly network
2Productivity
If memory bandwidth is increased to handle increasing workloads, then processing speed is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the data processing into parallel lanes where data elements are packed in lanes of defined data width. The butterfly network is organized into multiple layers that operate in parallel, allowing data transformation to proceed simultaneously across multiple data paths, effectively increasing throughput without requiring a single high-bandwidth memory interface
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms data from sequential processing to parallel processing by organizing data elements into vector streams with multiple lanes. The multilayer butterfly network operates on these parallel data streams, adding a dimensional aspect to data processing that increases effective bandwidth utilization without proportionally increasing memory system complexity
3Loss of time
If the number of scalar operations is reduced for real-time data processing, then processing time is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces sequential scalar operations with a parallel dataflow architecture using a multilayer butterfly network. This network automatically performs data alignment and transformation through its structured multiplexer stages, eliminating the need for numerous scalar operations while maintaining precise data element alignment through hardware-based control
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method, and device are shown that are operable to transform and align a plurality of fields from an input to an output data stream using a multilayer butterfly or inverse butterfly network by selectably switching bit positions of the input data stream. In some examples, a device includes a first circuit configured to selectably switch bit positions of a first subset of the data stream with a second subset of the data stream and a second circuit configured to: selectably switch bit positions of a first subset of the first subset of the data stream with a second subset of the first subset of the data stream, and selectably switch bit positions of a first subset of the second subset of the data stream with a second subset of the second subset of the data stream.