Interconnect Data Elision Using FLIT Omission for Bandwidth Savings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data processing systems face inefficiencies in bandwidth utilization on interconnects due to limited available bandwidth, which affects performance and is constrained by power consumption and circuit area, especially when transmitting data with predetermined values like zero.
Innovation Solution
Implement data elision by omitting data FLITs with predetermined values and using a data-elision-specifying FLIT to signal this omission, allowing more efficient bandwidth usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data FLITs with predetermined values are transmitted normally, then data integrity is maintained, but bandwidth utilization is reduced and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes data FLITs that contain predetermined values (e.g., zero) from the normal transmission stream. Instead of transmitting these redundant data FLITs, the system uses a compact data elision indicator to signal their omission, thereby reducing bandwidth consumption and power usage while maintaining data integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the transmission parameter for data FLITs containing predetermined values by replacing them with a different representation (data elision indicator). This parameter change allows the system to convey the same information using fewer bits, improving bandwidth efficiency and reducing energy consumption.
2Productivity
If data elision is implemented to reduce transmitted bits, then bandwidth efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a data elision indicator as an intermediary element that mediates between the data sender and receiver. This indicator serves as a compact signal that informs the receiver about omitted data FLITs, enabling bandwidth efficiency without requiring complex coordination or state management between sender and receiver.
3Reliability
If all data FLITs are transmitted to ensure complete data transfer, then data completeness is guaranteed, but transmission time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback through the data elision indicator to inform the receiver about omitted data FLITs. This feedback mechanism ensures that the receiver can accurately reconstruct the original data stream by knowing which data FLITs were elided and why, thereby maintaining data completeness while reducing transmission time.
Data Source
AI summary
In response to determining circuitry determining that a portion of data to be sent to a recipient over an interconnect has a predetermined value, data sending circuitry performs data elision to: omit sending at least one data FLIT corresponding to the portion of data having the predetermined value; and send a data-elision-specifying FLIT specifying data-elision information indicating to the recipient that sending of the at least one data FLIT has been omitted and that the recipient can proceed assuming the portion of data has the predetermined value. The data-elision-specifying FLIT is a FLIT other than a write request FLIT for initiating a memory write transaction sequence. This helps to conserve data FLIT bandwidth for other data not having the predetermined value.