Instruction Execution Cost Mapping for Fast, Explainable Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining execution cost of instructions are either expensive and time-consuming when executed on actual hardware, inaccurate when using models, or computationally intensive and lack explainability with AI-based techniques.

Innovation Solution

Developing architecture-specific mapping tables that map converted instructions to average execution cost and standard deviation, allowing for efficient estimation of execution cost on different computer architectures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If execution cost is determined by executing instructions on actual hardware, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and use of energy increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexecution cost measurement precisionVSAvoidtime to determine execution cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-calculates and stores execution costs for different instruction types in a lookup table during system initialization or offline processing. When execution cost determination is needed, the system simply queries the pre-computed table rather than executing instructions on hardware, achieving both accurate measurement and fast retrieval.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a simplified model or representation of execution cost data that can be queried without actual hardware execution. The lookup table serves as a copy or approximation of the complex hardware execution behavior, allowing fast queries that mimic actual measurement results.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If execution cost is determined by executing instructions on actual hardware, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexecution cost measurement precisionVSAvoidprocessor energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs energy-intensive execution cost measurements during offline processing or system initialization, storing results in a lookup table. During actual operation, the system queries this table with minimal energy expenditure, avoiding repeated hardware execution and associated energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If AI-based techniques are used to estimate execution cost, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexecution cost estimation speedVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses simple, lightweight data structures (lookup tables with instruction type and execution cost pairs) instead of complex AI models. This approach provides sufficient accuracy for execution cost estimation while maintaining system simplicity and avoiding the computational overhead of AI-based techniques.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS12386669B2Methods and apparatus to determine execution cost
Publication Date: 2025.08.12 INTEL CORP
  • US12386669B2 patent drawing
  • US12386669B2 patent drawing
  • US12386669B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture to determine execution cost are disclosed. An example apparatus includes memory; instructions included in the apparatus; and processor circuitry to execute the instruction to: cause a plurality of instructions corresponding to a mnemonic to be executed; determine an average execution cost of the plurality of instructions; determine a standard deviation of execution costs of the plurality of instructions; and generate a mapping table including an entry, the entry including the mnemonic in association with the average and the standard deviation.