Dynamic Thread Splitting with Multiple Instruction Pointers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In visually intensive computer graphics applications, increasing the number of threads to manage dependencies efficiently can lead to higher manufacturing costs due to increased semiconductor gate count and register file size, and the optimal number of threads varies with workload, making it costly to accommodate all workloads effectively.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a thread execution apparatus that uses multiple instruction pointers to execute IF and ELSE blocks independently, dynamically splitting a single thread across multiple pointers to reduce latency and maximize efficiency without increasing hardware costs, by activating a second instruction pointer when the first encounters a dependency, allowing parallel execution of blocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of threads is increased to reduce latency and improve resource utilization, then execution efficiency is improved, but semiconductor gate count and register file size increase leading to higher manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments a single thread into multiple independent execution paths by introducing multiple instruction pointers (IP0, IP1, IP2) within Thread 0. Each instruction pointer can independently execute different code sequences (e.g., IF block with IP0, ELSE block with IP1), allowing the thread to be divided into parallel execution segments without creating additional threads. This segmentation enables the execution unit to process multiple code paths simultaneously while maintaining the same hardware resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of thread management by adding multiple instruction pointers within a single thread context. Instead of increasing the number of threads (one dimension), the invention creates multiple execution dimensions within Thread 0 by having IP0, IP1, and IP2 point to different code locations. This dimensional approach allows independent execution paths to coexist and be scheduled without requiring additional thread slots, thereby improving productivity without increasing device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of threads is increased to accommodate more workloads, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing costs increase due to larger register files and gate counts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the instruction pointer mechanism universal by enabling multiple instruction pointers (IP0, IP1, IP2) to share the same execution unit and resource infrastructure. The same execution unit that executes instructions from IP0 can seamlessly switch to executing from IP1 or IP2 without requiring dedicated hardware for each pointer. This multi-functionality allows a single thread to adapt to different workload scenarios (conditional branches, loops, dependencies) while sharing universal hardware resources, thereby improving adaptability without increasing register file size or gate count.
3Device complexity
If traditional single instruction pointer execution is used, then device complexity is minimized, but execution time increases due to sequential processing of IF-ELSE blocks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple instruction pointers (IP0, IP1, IP2) with their respective target code locations before execution begins. IP0 is initialized to point to the IF block, IP1 to the ELSE block, and IP2 to the loop continuation point. This preliminary setup allows the execution unit to immediately begin parallel execution of multiple paths without sequential delays, reducing execution time while maintaining relatively simple device complexity through the reuse of existing pointer mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by enabling the execution unit to continuously process instructions from multiple instruction pointers without idle cycles. When IP0 encounters a dependency and must wait, IP1 or IP2 can continue executing their respective code paths, maintaining continuous productive work. This eliminates the sequential processing bottleneck where the execution unit would otherwise remain idle waiting for dependencies to resolve, thereby reducing execution time while keeping the instruction pointer structure relatively simple.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, apparatuses and methods may provide for associating a first instruction pointer with an IF block of a primary IF-ELSE conditional construct associated with a thread and activating a second instruction pointer in response to a dependency associated with the IF block. Additionally, the second instruction pointer may be associated with an ELSE block of the primary IF-ELSE conditional construct. In one example, the IF block and the ELSE block are executed, via the first instruction pointer and the second instruction pointer, one or more of independently from or parallel to one another.