Load Store Unit Bit-Vector Tracking for Store Sub-Operation Replay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing processor architectures face challenges in efficiently tracking and optimizing the completion and replayability of sub-micro-operations associated with store instructions, leading to suboptimal performance in out-of-order processors.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a load store unit (LSU) with bit vectors to track the issue, unroll, and replay status of sub-micro-operations, allowing for efficient management and retirement of store micro-operations by monitoring the completion and replayability of individual and grouped sub-micro-operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional processor architectures are used without dedicated tracking mechanisms, then device complexity is reduced, but tracking precision and optimization of sub-micro-operation completion status deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tracking mechanism into multiple bit vectors, each dedicated to tracking specific aspects of sub-micro-operation status (completion, replayability, grouping). This segmentation allows precise tracking of individual sub-micro-operations while maintaining manageable complexity through modular organization of tracking data structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces bit vectors as intermediary data structures between the execution units and the retirement logic. These bit vectors serve as mediators that efficiently communicate the completion and replayability status of sub-micro-operations, enabling precise tracking without requiring complex direct monitoring between execution and retirement components.
2Productivity
If detailed tracking of individual sub-micro-operations is implemented, then productivity and optimization are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple tracking functions into a unified bit vector structure that simultaneously tracks completion status, replayability, and group associations of sub-micro-operations. This consolidation improves processor performance by enabling comprehensive tracking while reducing overall complexity compared to maintaining separate tracking mechanisms for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The bit vector structure serves multiple functions: tracking completion of individual sub-micro-operations, monitoring replayability conditions, and managing group-level retirement. This multi-functionality enables detailed tracking of sub-micro-operations to improve productivity while avoiding the complexity overhead of separate specialized tracking mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If group-level tracking of sub-micro-operations is implemented, then ease of operation for retirement management is improved, but measurement precision of individual operation status may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a group-level dimension to the tracking structure by organizing bit vectors to represent both individual sub-micro-operations and their parent groups. This dimensional organization enables easy group-level retirement management while preserving precise individual operation tracking, as the hierarchical structure allows operations to be monitored and retired at appropriate granularities.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for tracking sub-micro-operations and groups thereof are described. An integrated circuit includes a load store unit configured to receive store micro-operations cracked from a vector store instruction. The load store unit is configured to unroll multiple store sub-micro-operations from each of the store micro-operations. The load store unit includes an issue status vector to track issuance of each sub-micro-operation, an unroll status vector to track unrolling of each sub-micro-operation associated with a group of sub-micro-operations, and a replay status vector to track a replayability of sub-micro-operations associated with the group of sub-micro-operations.