Instruction Fetch Unit Selective Memory Block Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional graphics systems experience unnecessary power consumption due to the activation of memory management circuits to fetch unused instruction fields, as they are designed based on the largest number of fields associated with instructions, leading to inefficient memory block usage.
Innovation Solution
A processing unit with an instruction fetch unit that includes a block enable signal generator to selectively activate only the necessary memory blocks based on a flag field within the instruction, optimizing memory block usage by activating all blocks for the first instruction and selectively activating blocks for subsequent instructions based on their specific field requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If memory blocks are activated based on the largest number of fields associated with instructions, then all instruction fields can be fetched, but unnecessary power consumption occurs due to activation of memory management circuits for unused fields
Solution Approach 1:
The instruction memory is divided into multiple independently controllable memory blocks, where each block can be selectively activated based on the specific field requirements of the instruction being fetched. This segmentation allows the system to activate only the necessary memory blocks rather than all blocks simultaneously, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining full adaptability to handle instructions with varying field requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the instruction memory is designed based on the size of the instruction with the most fields, then all instructions can be accommodated, but power consumption increases due to switching of memory management circuits to fetch unused fields
Solution Approach 1:
The memory management system employs dynamic control through block enable signals that are generated based on the specific field requirements of each instruction. This dynamic approach allows the system to adaptively activate only the necessary memory blocks for each instruction fetch operation, rather than statically activating all blocks. The block enable signal generator dynamically determines which memory blocks need to be active, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining full instruction field coverage capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A processing unit includes an instruction fetch unit that is configured to process a compiled instruction that includes a plurality of fields. The plurality of fields includes a flag field that identifies memory blocks to be activated for fetching a next instruction. Each of the memory blocks has stored therein one or more fields used to form the next instruction and assigned to the memory blocks in a predetermined way. A block enable signal generator is configured to generate at least one block enable signal to selectively activate the memory blocks in the predetermined way. The flag field is included in fields of an instruction having the shortest length among instructions of the processing unit.