Completion Time Prediction Circuit for Vector Memory Operations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Processor architectures that exploit data-level parallelism (DLP) face challenges in efficient instruction scheduling and execution due to variable completion times of vector memory operations, which hinder widespread adoption for general-purpose applications.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a completion time prediction circuit that tracks aspects of previous vector memory operations to predict the completion time of current operations, allowing the issue circuit to align dependent operations with data forwarding from vector loads or store availability, thereby improving memory operation scheduling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If variable completion time of vector memory operations is used to allow flexibility in memory access patterns, then adaptability of vector operations is improved, but instruction scheduling difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by predicting the completion time of vector memory operations before they actually complete. The completion time prediction circuit estimates when the operation will finish based on historical data and current operation characteristics, allowing the issue circuit to schedule dependent operations in advance rather than waiting for actual completion. This resolves the scheduling difficulty by providing a predicted timeline upfront.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the actual completion time of vector memory operations to update and refine the prediction circuit's future estimates. The completion time prediction circuit receives feedback about actual completion times and uses this information to improve the accuracy of subsequent predictions, creating a closed-loop system that continuously learns and adapts to actual performance characteristics.
2Productivity
If completion time prediction is implemented for vector memory operations, then instruction scheduling efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by creating a predicted copy of the completion time information that mirrors what would otherwise require waiting for actual operation completion. The completion time prediction circuit generates a predicted completion time value that serves as a surrogate for the actual completion event, allowing the issue circuit to make scheduling decisions based on this copied temporal information rather than waiting for the real operation to finish.
Solution Approach 2:
The prediction circuit performs preliminary action by estimating completion times before operations actually complete, enabling advance scheduling of dependent operations without adding significant complexity to the core processing pipeline.
3Productivity
If dependent operations are scheduled to align with data forwarding, then processor performance is improved, but scheduling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The issue circuit uses feedback from the completion time prediction circuit to dynamically adjust scheduling decisions. By continuously monitoring predicted completion times and aligning dependent operation issuance accordingly, the system optimizes performance through data-forwarding alignment while keeping scheduling logic relatively simple and rule-based rather than requiring complex optimization algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, a processor may include a completion time prediction circuit. The completion time prediction circuit may be configured to track one or more aspects of previous instances of a vector memory operation, and may be configured to predict a completion time for a current instance of the vector memory operation. The prediction may be used by the issue circuit to schedule operations dependent on the vector memory operation, if any.