Hardwired Matrix Transpose Circuit for Semiconductor Data Movement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional matrix transposition methods in semiconductor devices require numerous instructions and data movements, which are inefficient and costly in terms of power and performance, especially for operations like matrix multiplication in machine learning workloads.

Innovation Solution

A hardware-based matrix transpose circuit that hardwires input and output positions, allowing for matrix transposition with a single instruction or operation by leveraging predictable index relationships, reducing the need for register operations and data movements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional software-based matrix transposition methods are used, then the device can handle general-purpose computations, but the number of operations and data movements increases significantly, reducing performance and power efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematrix transposition performanceVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces software-based matrix transposition operations with a dedicated hardware circuit that performs transposition through direct wired connections between input and output register positions. This hardware substitution eliminates the need for multiple software instructions and data movements, achieving faster performance and lower power consumption specifically for matrix transposition operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If a hardware-based matrix transpose circuit is implemented, then performance and power efficiency improve, but the device loses flexibility in handling different computation types

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematrix transposition speedVSAvoidcomputational flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the computational system into two parts: a dedicated hardware matrix transpose circuit for transposition operations and a general-purpose processor for other computations. This segmentation allows the hardware circuit to optimize performance for its specific function while the processor handles diverse computational tasks, resolving the flexibility concern through architectural division rather than complete hardware specialization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If numerous instructions and data movements are used for matrix transposition, then the method can be implemented in general-purpose processors, but the complexity of operations increases, reducing power efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes multiple software instructions with a single hardware circuit operation. The wired connections between register positions perform the transposition function that would otherwise require numerous instructions, data loads, and stores, dramatically reducing power consumption while maintaining ease of use through simple register-to-register operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If conventional transposition methods with multiple operations are used, then the system can maintain general-purpose functionality, but the number of memory accesses increases, reducing overall system performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem functionalityVSAvoidmatrix transposition throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces multiple memory access operations with direct register-to-register wired connections. The hardware circuit performs transposition by routing data between fixed positions through dedicated pathways, eliminating the need for repeated memory reads and writes that characterize conventional software-based methods, thereby increasing throughput.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20250306858A1Matrix transpose unit of a semiconductor device and methods of manufacture thereof

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 ADVANCED MICRO DEVICES INC

AI summary

Various devices, methods and systems are also disclosed, including an input register, output register and multiplexers. The input register includes input matrix index positions, where the input matrix index positions are configured to receive matrix values of an input matrix. The output register include output matrix index positions, where the output matrix index positions are configured to receive matrix values of an output matrix. The multiplexers include inputs wired to corresponding input matrix index positions, first outputs wired to an original matrix index positions of the output matrix index positions of the output register so as to pass the matrix values of the input matrix index positions to the output matrix index positions without transposition, and second outputs wired to transposed matrix index positions of the output matrix index positions of the output register so as to transpose the input matrix.