Hierarchical Find-First-N Arbitration for Scalable GPU Resource Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods of resource arbitration in GPUs and SoCs struggle to balance performance and complexity, particularly when scaling, leading to bottlenecks and suboptimal resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
A hierarchical tree-based circuit is used to find the first N valid signals in a prioritized vector of input signals, utilizing more-than (MT) signals to select and propagate path vectors efficiently, reducing circuit area and improving performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional resource arbitration methods are used, then the system can perform arbitration, but performance deteriorates and complexity increases when scaling
Solution Approach 1:
The arbitration circuit is divided into a hierarchical tree structure with multiple levels of nodes. Each node handles a subset of requesters or resources, dividing the complex arbitration task into smaller manageable units. This segmentation allows the system to scale by adding more nodes without proportionally increasing the complexity of individual node operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to the arbitration process, organizing requesters and resources in multiple levels rather than a flat structure. This dimensional transformation enables parallel processing at different levels, improving overall arbitration performance while maintaining manageable complexity through the tree's structured organization.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of resources and requesters increases, then system capacity improves, but arbitration complexity and bottlenecks worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The hierarchical tree segments the arbitration workload across multiple levels, with each level handling a portion of the total requesters or resources. This segmentation enables the system to scale capacity by adding more nodes at different levels while keeping individual node complexity manageable through division of labor.
Solution Approach 2:
The tree structure allows partial arbitration operations at different levels, where not all requesters or resources need to be processed at every level. This partial action approach enables efficient handling of large systems by processing only relevant portions at each hierarchical level.
3Productivity
If traditional arbitration approaches are used, then resource allocation can be performed, but circuit area increases and performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit is segmented into hierarchical nodes that share common logic and structure. This segmentation reduces the total circuit area by eliminating redundant components that would exist in a flat arbitration structure, while maintaining efficient resource allocation through the hierarchical organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The hierarchical tree nodes are designed with universal functionality that can handle multiple roles in the arbitration process. Each node serves multiple purposes (requester arbitration, resource arbitration, priority management), reducing the need for separate dedicated circuits and thereby reducing overall circuit area.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are disclosed relating to resource arbitration and allocation methods for multiple requesters, e.g., in graphics processors. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes find-first N circuitry configured to find the first N valid signals in a prioritized vector of input signals, and multiple node circuits configured in a hierarchical tree. A given node circuit includes control circuitry configured to receive first and second sets of more-than (MT) signals from parent nodes and generate output MT signals indicating the number of valid signals received by ancestor nodes. The node circuit also includes path control circuitry configured to receive first and second sets of path vectors from parent nodes and generate output path vectors representing the locations of valid signals in the input vector. The apparatus may also include round-robin control circuitry to provide fair arbitration among multiple requesters, and mapping circuitry to assign valid requesters to identified resources.