Chaining Exposed-Pipeline Processing Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computer systems face challenges with high memory access latency and energy consumption due to long data access times from main processors to memory devices, particularly in complex and high-performance systems, where parallel memory accesses can lead to increased bandwidth but also increased complexity.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system and method for chaining data in an exposed-pipeline processing element, where sub-instructions are issued at different times to account for dependencies, using a chaining bus to communicate results between pipelines, allowing for efficient exchange of data without requiring additional instruction space or breaking down instructions into sub-vectors, thereby reducing latency and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If parallel memory accesses are implemented to increase bandwidth, then memory bandwidth is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments a multiple instruction word into first and second sub-instructions that can be executed in parallel by different pipelines. This segmentation enables parallel memory accesses to increase bandwidth while managing complexity through structured instruction decomposition rather than uncontrolled system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a chaining bus dimension that connects pipelines across separate register file spaces, enabling parallel execution in a new dimensional space. This allows memory bandwidth to be increased through parallel pipelines without proportionally increasing overall system complexity by organizing complexity along a new dimensional axis
2Reliability
If sub-instructions are issued at different times to account for dependencies, then execution accuracy is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by issuing the first sub-instruction before the second sub-instruction, accounting for data dependencies in advance. The chaining mechanism prepares and transfers intermediate results through the chaining bus before subsequent instructions need them, ensuring execution accuracy while minimizing delays through proactive result availability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by overlapping the execution of sub-instructions across pipelines. While the first sub-instruction is being executed and its result is being chained, the second sub-instruction can begin execution in a different pipeline, reducing idle time and maintaining continuous productive work despite dependency constraints
3Productivity
If results are communicated through a chaining bus between pipelines in separate register file spaces, then data exchange efficiency is improved, but communication overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the result communication function into the existing chaining bus infrastructure that connects pipelines. By combining result chaining with the regular pipeline interconnect structure, the system achieves efficient data exchange without adding separate dedicated communication channels, thereby reducing communication overhead and energy loss
4Loss of time
If memory access time is reduced through parallel processing, then latency is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments memory access operations into parallel sub-instructions executed by different pipelines. This segmentation reduces memory access latency by performing multiple accesses simultaneously, while energy consumption is managed through the structured parallel execution that avoids redundant operations and optimizes resource utilization
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include a method for chaining data in an exposed-pipeline processing element. The method includes separating a multiple instruction word into a first sub-instruction and a second sub-instruction, receiving the first sub-instruction and the second sub-instruction in the exposed-pipeline processing element. The method also includes issuing the first sub-instruction at a first time, issuing the second sub-instruction at a second time different than the first time, the second time being offset to account for a dependency of the second sub-instruction on a first result from the first sub-instruction, the first pipeline performing the first sub-instruction at a first clock cycle and communicating the first result from performing the first sub-instruction to a chaining bus coupled to the first pipeline and a second pipeline, the communicating at a second clock cycle subsequent to the first clock cycle that corresponds to a total number of latch pipeline stages in the first pipeline.