Data-space Translation Logic for Secure Micro-sequencing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing approaches to executing instructions with complex algorithms suffer from performance issues, increased complexity, and security concerns due to the need for multiple conditional decisions and speculative execution.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a Data-space Translation Logic (DTL) in the frontend of a processor that translates input data into control outputs, allowing for immediate-driven instructions with no frontend serialization or branch prediction, and eliminating micro-operation branches.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If traditional conditional decision approaches are used for complex instructions, then functional flexibility is maintained, but execution speed decreases and security issues arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstruction execution speedVSAvoidinstruction execution complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts conditional decision-making from the traditional execution path and relocates it to a data-space translation logic unit. This separates the control flow determination from the main execution pipeline, allowing instructions to proceed without traditional conditional branches while maintaining functional flexibility through the translation logic's data-driven control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The data-space translation logic acts as an intermediary between the instruction fetch unit and the execution units. It translates operand data into control signals that direct micro-operation sequencing, eliminating the need for conditional branches while preserving complex algorithmic behavior through data-space guided control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple conditional decisions are implemented for complex algorithms, then functional capability is enhanced, but execution time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealgorithmic functionalityVSAvoidexecution time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The data-space translation logic performs control decision-making in advance by translating operand data into control signals before execution begins. This preliminary translation eliminates the need for time-consuming conditional decisions during execution, as the control flow is predetermined by the data-space translation based on operand values.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of conditional branch instructions with a data-driven translation mechanism. Instead of using traditional branch predicates and control flow transfers, the system uses data-space translation to directly map operand values to control signals, eliminating the sequential conditional decision overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If speculative execution is used to improve performance, then throughput increases, but security vulnerabilities are introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstruction throughputVSAvoidsecurity vulnerabilities

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potential harm of speculative execution into a benefit by using data-space translation to determine control flow before execution. The translation logic uses operand data to pre-determine the correct execution path, eliminating the need for speculation and associated security risks while maintaining high throughput through efficient micro-operation sequencing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Reliability

If frontend serialization is implemented for complex instructions, then control accuracy is improved, but performance is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol accuracyVSAvoidinstruction throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the instruction execution into micro-operations that are controlled by data-space translation outputs. This segmentation allows parallel issuance of micro-operations without requiring frontend serialization, as the translation logic provides precise control signals for each micro-operation based on operand data, maintaining control accuracy while improving throughput.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12235791B2Loop driven region based frontend translation control for performant and secure data-space guided micro-sequencing

Publication Date: 2025.02.25 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Methods and apparatus relating to loop driven region based frontend translation control for performant and secure data-space guided micro-sequencing are described. In an embodiment, Data-space Translation Logic (DTL) circuitry receives a static input and a dynamic input and generates one or more outputs based at least in part on the static input and the dynamic input. A frontend counter generates a count value for the dynamic input based at least in part on an incremented/decremented counter value and a next counter value from the DTL circuitry. The DTL circuitry is capable to receive a new dynamic input prior to consumption of the one or more outputs. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.