Instruction Pipeline Timing Control for Parallel Processing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data processing systems face delays and inefficiencies, particularly in processing sequences with looped instructions, due to serial execution of instructions and reliance on external memory operations, which is problematic in low-latency applications like wireless telecommunications.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for delivering instructions to parallel function units using instruction pipelines with timing values to determine the relative execution order, minimizing delays between sequences and preventing overlap, allowing for efficient parallel execution of instructions within the processing element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If instructions are executed serially in order of receipt, then the execution order is simple and deterministic, but the processing speed and throughput are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The instruction delivery mechanism is segmented into multiple independent instruction pipelines (first instruction pipeline, second instruction pipeline, etc.), each capable of independently delivering instructions to function units. This segmentation allows parallel instruction delivery without requiring complex centralized control, thus improving processing speed while keeping individual pipeline complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from serial instruction execution (one-dimensional time sequence) to parallel instruction execution by introducing multiple instruction pipelines (adding spatial dimension). Instructions are delivered simultaneously through different pipelines to different function units, enabling parallel processing while maintaining simple deterministic execution within each pipeline.
2Productivity
If multiple instruction sequences are interleaved to reduce delays, then parallel execution efficiency is improved, but timing coordination and overlap prevention become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses preliminary action by pre-fetching instructions from future cycles and storing them in buffer registers before they are needed. Instructions are prepared in advance and held ready for immediate execution, eliminating wait states and reducing delays between instruction sequences without requiring complex real-time timing coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
Buffer registers serve as intermediaries between instruction fetch and execution stages. These buffers temporarily hold instructions, decoupling the timing of instruction delivery from execution requirements. This intermediary mechanism allows multiple instruction sequences to be interleaved efficiently while simplifying timing control, as the buffers automatically manage the timing coordination.
3Reliability
If looped instruction sequences are processed with strict ordering, then data packet order is maintained, but processing latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by allowing instruction pipelines to operate independently with flexible timing. Looped instruction sequences can be processed in parallel across multiple pipelines with different timing characteristics, enabling the system to dynamically adjust execution timing to minimize latency while maintaining output order through proper pipeline synchronization at the function unit level.
Data Source
AI summary
A processing element comprises a plurality of function units (16) operable to execute respective functions in dependence upon received instructions in parallel with one another. An instruction controller includes a plurality of instruction pipelines (42). Each of the pipelines (42) is associated with a function unit (16) of the processing element, and is operable to deliver instructions to the function unit concerned for execution thereby. Each pipeline also includes a timing controller operable to receive timing information for a received instruction, and to determine an initial location in the pipeline into which the instruction is to be loaded, and an instruction handler operable to receive an instruction for the function unit associated with the instruction pipeline concerned, and to load that instruction into the initial location determined by the timing controller.