Composite Scalar-Vector VLIW Instruction Execution Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional processor cores are inefficient in executing Very Large Instruction Word (VLIW) instructions that contain a mix of scalar and vector atoms, as they require multiple instructions and cycles, leading to wasted bandwidth and increased execution time due to the inability to combine scalar and vector operations effectively within a single instruction.
Innovation Solution
A processor core with a composite VLIW instruction execution unit that combines scalar and vector operations, allowing scalar atoms to be executed once and vector atoms to be executed for multiple iterations, while branch and control atoms are executed only when necessary, within a single composite VLIW instruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional processor cores execute VLIW instructions with mix of scalar and vector atoms using multiple instructions and cycles, then each operation can be executed correctly, but the number of instructions and execution cycles increases, leading to wasted bandwidth and increased execution time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines scalar atoms and vector atoms into a single VLIW instruction structure, allowing both types of operations to be executed simultaneously in one instruction cycle. This merging eliminates the need for separate instructions for scalar and vector operations, reducing the total instruction count and improving bandwidth efficiency while maintaining correct execution of both operation types.
Solution Approach 2:
The VLIW instruction structure is designed to be universal, accommodating both scalar and vector atoms within the same instruction format. The instruction unit can interpret and execute both scalar and vector operations from the same instruction stream, making the processor architecture multi-functional and eliminating the need for separate execution paths for different operation types.
2Ease of manufacture
If scalar atoms are executed once and vector atoms are executed for multiple iterations in separate instructions, then each operation can be optimized independently, but the total number of instructions and execution cycles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges scalar and vector atom execution into a single instruction cycle, allowing both operation types to proceed simultaneously rather than sequentially. This combination eliminates redundant instruction cycles and reduces total execution time while maintaining the ability to optimize each atom type independently through separate compilation passes.
Solution Approach 2:
The compiler performs preliminary analysis to identify which atoms should be executed once and which should be executed for multiple iterations, then encodes this information in the VLIW instruction structure. This preliminary action allows the execution unit to automatically apply the correct execution strategy without requiring separate instructions for each atom type.
3Ease of operation
If multiple VLIW instructions are used to represent scalar and vector operations, then each operation can be clearly defined, but NOP overhead increases and resource utilization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple operations into a single VLIW instruction, eliminating the need for NOP (no-operation) instructions that would otherwise be required to align scalar and vector operations across multiple instruction cycles. This merging reduces the total instruction count, eliminates NOP overhead, and improves resource utilization while maintaining clear operational definitions through the structured instruction format.
Data Source
AI summary
A processor core includes a storage device which stores a composite very large instruction word (VLIW) instruction, an instruction unit which obtains the composite VLIW instruction from the storage device and decodes the composite VLIW instruction to determine an operation to perform, and a composite VLIW instruction execution unit which executes the composite VLIW instruction to perform the operation.