Division Circuitry Bypass for Power-of-Two Denominators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Division operations in data processing systems are costly in terms of time and energy, especially when dedicated division circuitry is required, and existing systems do not efficiently handle denominators that are powers of two, leading to unnecessary resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating power-of-two detection circuitry and bypass circuitry to identify when the denominator is a power of two, allowing the division circuitry to be bypassed and the result generated by shifting the numerator, thereby avoiding the costly division operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated division circuitry is used to perform division operations, then the division operation can be completed, but the time and energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters by detecting whether the denominator is a power of two. When this condition is met, the system switches from using dedicated division circuitry to using a bypass path with shift operations, thereby changing the energy consumption parameter while maintaining correct division results
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the division operation into two distinct paths: a normal division path using dedicated division circuitry for general cases, and a bypass path using shift operations specifically for power-of-two denominators. This segmentation allows the system to optimize energy consumption by selecting the appropriate path based on the denominator value
2Reliability
If dedicated division circuitry is used to perform division operations, then the division operation can be completed, but the execution time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the execution parameter by detecting power-of-two denominators and switching to a bypass path that uses simple shift operations instead of complex division circuitry, thereby reducing execution time while maintaining accurate results for this specific case
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the division operation into two execution paths: a standard division path for general denominators and an optimized bypass path for power-of-two denominators. This segmentation enables faster execution by selecting the appropriate path based on the denominator's properties
3Use of energy by moving object
If the division circuitry is bypassed for power-of-two denominators, then energy consumption is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to additional detection and bypass circuitry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting whether the denominator is a power of two before performing the division operation. This advance detection allows the system to prepare the appropriate execution path (bypass or standard division) in advance, reducing energy consumption without significantly increasing overall system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A data processing apparatus and method of operating such a data processing apparatus are provided, for responding to a division instruction to perform a division operation to generate a result value by dividing an input numerator specified by the division instruction by an input denominator specified by the division instruction. The input numerator and input denominator are binary values. The apparatus comprises division circuitry configured to generate the result value by carrying out the division operation, power-of-two detection circuitry configured to signal a bypass condition if the input denominator has a value given by ±2N, where N is a positive integer, and bypass circuitry configured, in response to signalling of the bypass condition, to cause the division circuitry to be bypassed and to cause the result value to be generated as the input numerator shifted by N bits.