Power Reduction During GPU Lane Divergence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) face inefficiencies in power usage due to lane divergence, where inactive execution lanes continue to consume power during divergent execution paths, leading to suboptimal utilization and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method to idle inactive execution lanes during lane divergence, determined by analyzing branch instructions and using power-gating techniques such as clock-gating or sleep vectors to conserve energy, with re-enabling of lanes before convergence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If all execution lanes remain active during lane divergence, then execution readiness is maintained, but power consumption increases due to clocking and leakage power in inactive lanes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the execution lane state changeable - lanes can be dynamically activated or idled based on whether they are currently needed for execution. This allows the system to adapt its power consumption profile to the actual execution requirements at any given moment, resolving the contradiction between maintaining execution readiness and reducing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic activation of execution lanes - lanes are activated only during the periods when they are needed for execution and idled during periods when other lanes are executing. This periodic on/off pattern reduces average power consumption while ensuring lanes are available when needed, addressing both power efficiency and execution readiness requirements.
2Use of energy by moving object
If inactive execution lanes are idled during lane divergence, then power consumption is reduced, but execution latency increases when lanes need to be re-enabled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by re-enabling execution lanes before they are actually needed for convergence. Instead of waiting until the last moment to activate idle lanes, the system proactively re-enables them in advance, allowing them to be ready when convergence occurs. This eliminates or reduces the latency penalty while maintaining the power savings from idling during divergence.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and device for reducing power during an instruction lane divergence includes idling an inactive execution lane during the lane divergence.