Configurable CPU Pipeline Interconnect for Dynamic Function Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microprocessors face inefficiencies in instruction movement, power consumption, and sequential compute operations, while FPGAs are limited by high configuration overhead, long reconfiguration times, and high-level software inaccessibility, making them unsuitable for general-purpose computing and custom accelerators.
Innovation Solution
A macroprocessor integrates configurable CPU pipelines with field programmable FPGA slices, allowing dynamic reconfiguration of execution units to perform flexible functions, enhancing parallel processing and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If microprocessors use fixed hardware structures to execute instructions, then instruction execution is efficient, but adaptability to custom functions and flexible computing is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The processor is divided into modular execution units (ALU, FPU, DSP, etc.) that can be independently configured and selected. Each execution unit can be dynamically allocated to different functions based on the instruction type, allowing the hardware to adapt to custom computing needs while maintaining a relatively simple base architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic selection of execution units through control signals that can change the functional configuration of the processor at runtime. The execution unit selection mechanism allows the hardware to transition between different operational modes (e.g., from standard CPU execution to custom accelerator functions) without requiring physical hardware changes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If FPGAs use field programmable structures, then adaptability to custom functions is high, but reconfiguration time and configuration overhead are large
Solution Approach 1:
The reconfiguration process is divided into modular execution unit configurations. Instead of reconfiguring the entire FPGA fabric, only the selected execution units need to be programmed with their specific functions. This segmented approach significantly reduces the configuration time and overhead while maintaining the flexibility to implement custom functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-defines a set of executable functions and execution unit templates that can be rapidly instantiated. The configuration process involves selecting from pre-prepared execution unit definitions rather than creating custom logic from scratch, which dramatically reduces reconfiguration time while still allowing flexible function implementation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If FPGAs require high-level software access, then ease of programming is reduced, but custom accelerator integration is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate layer of execution unit abstractions that bridge high-level software and custom hardware accelerators. This intermediary interface allows software to interact with execution units through standardized calls without needing to directly program the underlying hardware or manage complex FPGA configuration details, thus maintaining ease of operation while enabling custom accelerator integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The execution units are designed with universal interfaces that can execute both standard CPU instructions and custom accelerator functions through a unified programming model. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware infrastructure to serve both general-purpose computing and custom acceleration needs, eliminating the need for separate software access mechanisms.
4Productivity
If microprocessors execute instructions sequentially through fixed pipelines, then instruction execution is straightforward, but parallel processing capability and compute performance are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The processor pipeline is segmented into multiple independent execution units (ALU, FPU, DSP, load/store) that can operate in parallel. Each execution unit handles specific operations independently, allowing simultaneous execution of multiple instructions. This segmentation enables high compute performance while keeping each individual execution unit relatively simple and easy to configure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic pipeline configuration where execution units can be selectively activated and deactivated based on the instruction stream. The control mechanism dynamically adjusts which execution units are active, allowing efficient parallel processing without requiring all execution units to be permanently complex. The pipeline adapts its configuration at runtime to optimize parallelism for each specific computation.
Data Source
AI summary
A microprocessor to execute instructions and functions (defined as a macroprocessor) comprises a configurable CPU pipeline. Interconnect structures for configurable CPU pipelines are disclosed. In a first aspect, a configurable data router in an interconnect structure comprises a signal generation unit comprising configuration memory to dynamically receives a bit-code, decode and program configuration memory elements to generate a plurality of control signals to alter data bus coupling for pipelining. In a second aspect, a bit-byte configurable interconnect fabric blends bus-architectures of CPUs with bit-architectures of FPGAs for efficient heterogeneous computing. A bit-byte configurable interconnect fabric facilitates bus data flow between logic-blocks as well as bit-computing within logic-blocks, dramatically reducing the configuration memory required. In a third aspect, a configurable interconnect structure provides bit-stream configurability (at boot time) for user define content to execute in hardware as complex functions, and bit-code configurability (dynamically at run-time) to allow flexible sequencing of a plurality of complex functions to construct concatenated macro functions. In summary, the configurable interconnect structures provide the capability to dynamically program configurable CPU pipelines for a user defined application software content to execute in a custom hardware image.