Dynamic Pipeline Depth for Throughput and Latency Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computer processors face challenges in optimizing execution latency due to fixed pipeline depths that do not adapt to varying workload demands, leading to inefficiencies in processing instructions.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for dynamically adjusting the pipeline depth based on workload requirements, allowing processors to optimize execution latency by configuring work queues and engine pipelines accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pipeline depth is increased to improve throughput, then more instructions can be processed in parallel, but execution latency for individual instructions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic pipeline depth adjustment by configuring different pipeline depths for different work queues based on their specific latency and throughput requirements. The system can adaptively select shallow pipeline depth for latency-sensitive workloads and deep pipeline depth for throughput-oriented workloads, resolving the contradiction between throughput and latency through dynamic reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different pipeline depths to different work queues according to their specific requirements. Instead of using a uniform pipeline depth for all workloads, the system configures shallow pipelines for latency-critical tasks and deep pipelines for throughput-critical tasks, allowing each workload to receive optimized local processing characteristics.
2Loss of time
If pipeline depth is decreased to reduce execution latency, then individual instructions are processed faster, but overall throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts pipeline depth based on workload characteristics and requirements. When latency is the priority, shallow pipelines are configured; when throughput is the priority, deep pipelines are configured. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize for the current performance goal without permanently sacrificing the other capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional pipeline system that can operate in different depth configurations to serve different types of workloads. The same processor can handle both latency-sensitive and throughput-sensitive workloads by reconfiguring the pipeline depth, making the system universal across different performance requirements.
3Device complexity
If fixed pipeline depth is used to simplify processor design, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to varying workload demands is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic reconfigurability to the processor pipeline, allowing the pipeline depth to be adjusted based on workload requirements. This dynamic capability enhances adaptability while maintaining a relatively simple base design that can be configured for different scenarios without requiring completely different hardware architectures.
Data Source
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AI summary
Apparatus and method for managing pipeline depth of a data processing device. For example, one embodiment of an apparatus comprises: an interface to receive a plurality of work requests from a plurality of clients; and a plurality of engines to perform the plurality of work requests; wherein the work requests are to be dispatched to the plurality of engines from a plurality of work queues, the work queues to store a work descriptor per work request, each work descriptor to include information needed to perform a corresponding work request, wherein the plurality of work queues include a first work queue to store work descriptors associated with first latency characteristics and a second work queue to store work descriptors associated with second latency characteristics; engine configuration circuitry to configure a first engine to have a first pipeline depth based on the first latency characteristics and to configure a second engine to have a second pipeline depth based on the second latency characteristics.