ISA-Based Inter-Sequencer Communication for Heterogeneous Accelerators
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Solution Overview
Problem
In processor-based systems, the inefficiencies and inflexibilities in using helper units, such as special-purpose accelerators, arise due to the need for indirect access via device drivers and OS-imposed restrictions, leading to suboptimal processor utilization and communication inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
Implementing ISA-based inter-sequencer communications through an exo-skeleton, which allows direct communication between heterogeneous resources and sequencers, enabling parallel execution and reducing the need for OS intervention by treating helper units as user-level resources within a unified ISA framework.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If helper units are accessed via device drivers in a typical OS environment, then system-wide resource management is achieved, but communication efficiency and processor utilization deteriorate due to indirect access paths and OS context save/restore operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a translation layer that acts as an intermediary between the coprocessor interface and the main processor. This translation layer converts coprocessor operations into main processor instructions, allowing the coprocessor to be accessed directly without going through the traditional device driver stack, thereby improving processor utilization while maintaining system-wide resource management
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the coprocessor accessible through the main processor's instruction set architecture, allowing it to function both as a dedicated acceleration unit and as a general-purpose resource. This multi-functionality enables the coprocessor to be used directly by application code without requiring separate device driver interfaces, improving both efficiency and flexibility
2Stability of the object's composition
If coprocessors are integrated to operate sequentially with main processor program order, then unified control flow is maintained, but concurrent operation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new dimension of control by implementing independent program counters and instruction streams for the coprocessor. This allows the coprocessor to execute instructions independently from the main processor's program order, enabling concurrent operations while the translation layer maintains unified control flow through coordinated context management
3Device complexity
If traditional escape/wait signal protocol is used for coprocessor communication, then simple interface design is achieved, but processor efficiency deteriorates due to wait states
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wait-state-based communication protocol with a software-based translation layer that uses main processor instructions to coordinate coprocessor operations. This substitution eliminates the need for the main processor to enter wait states, as the translation layer can efficiently manage coprocessor execution through instruction translation and context management
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for directly communicating between an accelerator and an instruction sequencer coupled thereto, where the accelerator is a heterogeneous resource with respect to the instruction sequencer. An interface may be used to provide the communication between these resources. Via such a communication mechanism a user-level application may directly communicate with the accelerator without operating system support. Further, the instruction sequencer and the accelerator may perform operations in parallel. Other embodiments are described and claimed.