L1 Cache Page Detection for Low-Latency Graphics Data Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current graphics processors face inefficiencies in low-latency, high-bandwidth data sharing, particularly through global caches like L2 or L3, leading to power consumption issues, latency, and security concerns, which affect the effectiveness and resource utilization of graphics operations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a cross-slice direct data communication system between L1 caches of multiple GPUs, utilizing energy-aware SRAM address mapping and a hierarchy of thread groups for efficient data transfer, thereby reducing latency and improving bandwidth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data sharing is performed via global cache (L2 or L3), then data sharing capability is provided, but power consumption increases and latency is experienced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data sharing architecture by introducing slice-local shared memory within each slice, separating it from the global cache system. This allows data sharing to occur locally without requiring access to power-consuming global cache structures, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining data sharing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to the memory hierarchy by introducing L1 caches and slice-local shared memory that operate parallel to the traditional global cache path. This dimensional addition provides alternative data sharing pathways that avoid the power consumption penalties of global cache access.
2Reliability
If data sharing is performed via global cache (L2 or L3), then data sharing capability is provided, but latency is experienced
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting data sharing into slice-local operations through dedicated shared memory, the patent eliminates the need for threads to traverse the global cache hierarchy, thereby reducing access latency while preserving data sharing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces slice-local shared memory as an intermediary structure between threads within the same slice. This intermediary enables direct data exchange without involving the global cache, thereby reducing latency while maintaining data sharing capability.
3Reliability
If conventional data sharing approaches are used, then data sharing is enabled, but system resource efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing dedicated shared memory resources specific to each slice, allowing data sharing operations to occur with locally-optimized resources rather than competing for global cache resources. This improves system resource efficiency while enabling data sharing.
4Reliability
If conventional data sharing approaches are used, then data sharing is enabled, but security concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the shared memory into slice-local units, the patent creates isolated data sharing environments that prevent unauthorized access between slices. This segmentation approach enables data sharing within secure boundaries while mitigating security concerns associated with global cache access.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus to facilitate efficient data sharing for graphics data processing operations is disclosed. The apparatus includes a processing resource to generate a stream of instructions, an L1 cache communicably coupled to the processing resource and comprising an on-page detector circuit to determine that a set of memory requests in the stream of instructions access a same memory page; and set a marker in a first request of the set of memory requests; and arbitration circuitry communicably coupled to the L1 cache, the arbitration circuitry to route the set of memory requests to memory comprising the memory page and to, in response to receiving the first request with the marker set, remain with the processing resource to process the set of memory requests.