Micro-operations Cache Affinity Groups for Processor Execution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computer systems face inefficiencies in processing instructions due to the lack of effective methods for managing and executing micro-operations across multiple instruction sequences.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a micro-operations cache that assigns cache lines to affinity groups based on whether the micro-operations are part of separate or common instruction execution sequences, allowing for efficient grouping and execution of micro-operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If micro-operations are stored in separate cache lines without affinity grouping, then cache line management is simpler, but execution efficiency decreases due to inability to execute micro-operations from multiple cache lines in a single clock cycle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments cache lines into distinct affinity groups (first affinity group, second affinity group, etc.) where each group contains cache lines with micro-operations that can be executed together. The micro-operations cache is divided into multiple ways, with each way assigned to a specific affinity group, allowing independent management and identification of cache lines belonging to the same execution sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces affinity group identifiers as an intermediary mechanism to link cache lines that belong to the same instruction execution sequence. When a cache line is accessed, the affinity group identifier enables the system to quickly identify and retrieve other cache lines in the same group, facilitating simultaneous execution without complex cross-cache-line coordination.
2Productivity
If micro-operations from multiple cache lines are executed in a single clock cycle, then fetch bandwidth increases, but power consumption management becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by executing micro-operations in structured clock cycles organized around affinity groups. The execution unit processes complete affinity groups in a systematic sequence, with each affinity group being identified, retrieved, and executed in organized phases. This periodic structure allows the system to manage power consumption by activating execution resources in predictable, rhythmic patterns rather than continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by ensuring that once an affinity group is identified and retrieved, all micro-operations within that group are executed without interruption in the same clock cycle. This continuous execution maximizes the utilization of fetched micro-operations and eliminates wasted cycles, thereby improving fetch bandwidth efficiency while providing predictable power consumption patterns.
3Productivity
If affinity groups are implemented to group cache lines by instruction execution sequence, then execution of micro-operations from multiple cache lines is enabled, but cache structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cache structure is segmented into multiple ways, with each way dedicated to storing cache lines for a specific affinity group. This segmentation allows the cache to physically organize micro-operations by their execution sequence affinity, enabling the execution unit to efficiently retrieve all micro-operations belonging to the same instruction sequence by accessing only the relevant ways rather than searching the entire cache.
Solution Approach 2:
Each way in the micro-operations cache is assigned a specific quality characteristic - namely, it stores cache lines with micro-operations that have the same affinity group identifier. This local quality assignment allows the cache to optimize retrieval operations by directing affinity-based lookups to specific ways, reducing the overall complexity of cache management while enabling sophisticated execution capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
Various example embodiments for supporting affinity groups in a micro-operations cache (UC) of a processor are presented herein. Various example embodiments for supporting affinity groups in a UC of a processor may be configured to support grouping of cache lines of the UC into affinity groups. Various example embodiments for supporting affinity groups in a UC of a processor may be configured to support grouping of cache lines of the UC into affinity groups such that micro-operations (UOPs) of multiple cache lines of an affinity group may be supplied to an execution unit of the processor as a group, thereby enabling execution of the UOPs of the multiple cache lines of the affinity group within a given clock cycle of the processor.