Latency Tolerant Pipeline Synchronization Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional synchronization mechanisms for multiple execution pipelines face challenges in meeting chip-level timing constraints due to varying latencies incurred by pipelining signals, especially when multiple synchronization events occur in sequence, which reduces processing throughput.
Innovation Solution
A synchronization mechanism that allows for pipelining of signals and tolerates latency by maintaining independent synchronization state within each processing pipeline, using synchronization strobes and counters to ensure all pipelines reach a synchronization point before proceeding, thereby reducing the frequency of synchronization latency incurred.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If signals are pipelined to meet chip-level timing constraints, then timing constraints are satisfied, but varying latencies are introduced that complicate synchronization
Solution Approach 1:
A latency compensation mechanism acts as an intermediary between the pipelined synchronization signals and the synchronization logic. This mechanism measures the actual latency of each synchronization signal and compensates for variations, allowing the system to tolerate pipelining-induced latency variations without complicating the synchronization logic.
2Reliability
If conventional handshake synchronization is used, then synchronization is achieved, but round trip latency reduces processing throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary latency measurement and compensation before the actual synchronization event occurs. By pre-characterizing the latency of each synchronization signal path and compensating for it in advance, the system eliminates the need for round-trip handshaking, thereby maintaining synchronization reliability while preserving processing throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
Each execution pipeline independently measures and compensates for its own synchronization signal latency without requiring acknowledgment or coordination from other pipelines. This self-service approach eliminates the round-trip communication overhead of conventional handshaking mechanisms.
3Reliability
If multiple synchronization events occur in sequence, then comprehensive synchronization is achieved, but synchronization latency frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of latency compensation from being event-specific to being path-specific. By measuring and compensating for the latency of each synchronization signal path once, the system can handle multiple sequential synchronization events without incurring repeated latency penalties, thereby reducing the frequency of synchronization latency.
Data Source
AI summary
A synchronization mechanism is used to synchronize events across multiple execution pipelines that process transaction streams. A common set of state configuration is included in each transaction stream to control processing of data that is distributed between the different transaction streams. Portions of the state configuration correspond to portions of the data. Execution of the transaction streams is synchronized to ensure that each portion of the data is processed using the state configuration that corresponds to that portion of the data. The synchronization mechanism may be used for multiple synchronizations and when the synchronization signals are pipelined to meet chip-level timing requirements.