Logical Slot Mapping for GPU Work Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
As the number of shader cores in GPUs increases, existing work distribution and scheduling techniques struggle to optimize performance and power consumption effectively, particularly in graphics processing units with multiple replicated processing elements.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of logical kickslots and advanced control circuitry that maps logical slots to distributed hardware slots using various distribution modes, affinity-based scheduling, and dynamic slot management techniques to improve performance and reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of shader cores in GPUs increases to provide greater compute power, then processing capability and productivity are improved, but work distribution and scheduling complexity increases, making it difficult to optimize performance and power consumption effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the GPU architecture into multiple replicated processing elements (sub-units), each with its own local control circuitry and slot management. This segmentation allows independent work distribution to each sub-unit, reducing the scheduling complexity that would otherwise arise from managing a large number of shader cores centrally. Each sub-unit can be independently configured and managed, enabling scalable performance without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
2Productivity
If multiple replicated processing elements are used to enhance compute capabilities, then processing throughput is improved, but power consumption increases due to the larger number of active processing units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic slot management where logical slots can be dynamically mapped to different physical hardware slots across replicated processing elements. This dynamic mapping allows the system to flexibly activate only the necessary processing elements based on workload requirements, rather than keeping all processing units continuously active. The dynamic reconfiguration capability enables optimized power consumption by matching active processing resources to actual computational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by allowing logical slots to be mapped to different physical configurations across replicated sub-units. By varying the mapping configuration and activation state of different processing elements, the system can adjust its power consumption profile while maintaining required processing throughput. This parameter adjustment enables flexible trade-offs between performance and power usage.
3Productivity
If work is distributed across multiple replicated shader cores, then processing parallelism and productivity are improved, but the complexity of managing and scheduling work increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the work distribution management into segmented logical slots that can be independently managed and mapped to physical processing elements. Each logical slot represents a unit of work that can be independently scheduled, tracked, and mapped to appropriate hardware resources. This segmentation simplifies the management of parallel work by breaking down complex scheduling tasks into manageable discrete units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces logical slots as an intermediary layer between the software interface and the physical processing elements. This intermediary abstraction layer simplifies scheduling management by providing a standardized interface for work submission while handling the complex mapping to physical resources separately. The logical slot mechanism mediates between work submission and execution, reducing the complexity of direct management of multiple replicated shader cores.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed techniques relate to work distribution in graphics processors. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes circuitry that implements a plurality of logical slots and a set of graphics processor sub-units that each implement multiple distributed hardware slots. The circuitry may determine different distribution rules for first and second sets of graphics work and map logical slots to distributed hardware slots based on the distribution rules. In various embodiments, disclosed techniques may advantageously distribute work efficiently across distributed shader processors for graphics kicks of various sizes.