Command Generation Circuitry for System Register Access Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Context switches in data processing apparatuses require numerous processor cycles to save and load system registers, which can occur frequently, leading to inefficiencies and increased power consumption, especially when increasing processor core size is undesirable.
Innovation Solution
A data processing apparatus with command generation circuitry that analyzes decoded system register access instructions and generates a single command to represent multiple instructions, optimizing system register access by leveraging the existing bandwidth of the command processing circuitry, even when system registers have different widths, allowing for efficient access without significant core size increases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the number of pipelines for handling system register accesses is increased, then the context switch speed is improved, but the processor core size and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple system register access operations into a single wide bus transaction. Instead of using multiple separate pipelines, the invention combines multiple register accesses that fit within the bandwidth constraints into one consolidated command, thereby improving context switch speed without increasing the number of pipelines or core size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal command structure that can handle multiple different system register access operations within a single transaction. This multi-functional approach allows the same pipeline to efficiently handle various register access patterns by consolidating them, avoiding the need for dedicated pipelines for each operation.
2Speed
If the number of pipelines for handling system register accesses is increased, then the context switch speed is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple system register access operations into a single wide bus transaction, reducing the total number of transactions required during context switches. This consolidation decreases the activation frequency of processing circuits, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining improved context switch speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous utilization of the available bus bandwidth by filling it efficiently with multiple register access operations. This continuous useful action maximizes the throughput of the existing infrastructure without requiring additional power-hungry pipelines, achieving speed improvement with minimal power overhead.
3Reliability
If numerous processor cycles are used for swapping system register values, then the accuracy of register state preservation is improved, but the context switch time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple system register access operations into a single wide bus transaction, reducing the total number of processor cycles required for context switches. By consolidating multiple narrow transactions into one wide transaction, the patent achieves faster context switch times while maintaining complete and accurate register state preservation through the comprehensive command structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A data processing apparatus for accessing several system registers using a single command includes system registers and command generation circuitry capable of analysing a plurality of decoded system register access instructions, each specifying a system register identifier. In response to a predetermined condition, the command generation circuitry generates a single command to represent the plurality of decoded system register access instructions. The predetermined condition comprises a requirement that a total width of the system registers specified by the plurality of decoded system register access instructions is less than or equal to a predefined data processing width.