CXL Switch Chiplet Resource Allocation Granularity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Compute Express Link (CXL) technologies are limited to resource sharing at a chip level granularity, lacking the ability to selectively allocate chiplet resources at a finer granularity, such as chiplet or sub-chiplet levels, and enabling exclusive access to processor cores.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a CXL switch that supports the CXL.chiplet protocol to dynamically allocate chiplet resources across multiple IC chips, allowing for selective inclusion and exclusion of chiplet resources at various granularities, enabling exclusive access to specific processor cores through a network switch compatible with the CXL specification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If CXL switch allocates chiplet resources at chiplet or sub-chiplet levels of granularity, then resource utilization and flexibility are enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments chiplet resources into allocatable units at chiplet or sub-chiplet granularity levels. The CXL switch divides the resource pool into discrete chiplet entities that can be independently allocated to different IC chips, enabling fine-grained resource management. This segmentation allows the switch to allocate specific chiplets or portions thereof to requesting IC chips, thereby enhancing resource utilization flexibility while managing complexity through structured division of resources.
2Reliability
If CXL switch provides exclusive access to processor cores, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases due to deallocation and reallocation overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where the CXL switch can allocate chiplet resources to IC chips on demand and deallocate them when no longer needed. The switch monitors resource usage and automatically manages allocation state transitions, providing exclusive access during active use while enabling rapid reallocation when resources become available. This dynamic approach ensures reliability through exclusive access during allocation while minimizing time loss through automated, efficient reallocation processes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If CXL switch supports dynamic composition of subsystems, then adaptability is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The CXL switch is designed with multi-functional capabilities to support dynamic composition of subsystems. It can simultaneously perform resource allocation, deallocation, access control, and subsystem configuration functions through a unified architecture. The switch handles multiple IC chips and chiplet resource types, providing universal resource management that enables flexible subsystem composition without requiring separate specialized hardware for each function, thereby enhancing adaptability while managing complexity through consolidation.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques and mechanisms to allocate functionality of a chiplet for access by one or more processor cores which are coupled to remote processor via a network switch. In an embodiment, a composite chip communicates with the switch via a Compute Express Link (CXL) link. The switch receives capability information which identifies both a chiplet of the composite chip, and a functionality which is available from a resource of that chiplet. Based on the capability information, the switch provides an inventory of chiplet resources. In response to an allocation request, the switch accesses the inventory to identify whether a suitable chiplet resource is available. Based on the access, the switch configures a chip to enable an allocation of a chiplet resource. In another embodiment, the chiplet resource is allocated at a sub-processor level of granularity, and disables access to the chiplet resource by one or more local processor cores.