MMA Accelerator Memory Partitioning for Concurrent Matrix Compute

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Solution Overview

Problem

Performing matrix multiply-accumulate (MMA) operations in a processor results in the register file being locked, forcing other instructions to wait, which limits parallel processing capabilities.

Innovation Solution

Utilizing exclusive memory, such as tensor memory and shared memory, to store operands and accumulated results for MMA operations, allowing the register file to be available for other operations, and enabling asynchronous or concurrent performance of MMA operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If MMA operations store results in the register file, then computation accuracy is maintained, but the register file is locked and other instructions must wait

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomputation accuracyVSAvoidparallel processing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the storage resources into separate segments: dedicated tensor memory for MMA operations and register file for other general-purpose operations. This segmentation allows MMA operations to store accumulated results in tensor memory without blocking the register file, enabling other instructions to execute concurrently while maintaining computation accuracy through dedicated storage space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the register file is locked for MMA operations, then data consistency is ensured, but instruction throughput decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata consistencyVSAvoidinstruction throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the storage function for MMA operations from the register file and places it in dedicated tensor memory. This extraction removes the conflict between MMA operations and other instructions, allowing the register file to remain unlocked and available for general-purpose operations while tensor memory ensures data consistency for MMA accumulations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If exclusive memory is used for MMA operations, then concurrent computations are enabled, but memory complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconcurrent computation capabilityVSAvoidmemory structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements tensor memory with multi-functionality: it serves as dedicated storage for MMA operations while the register file continues to handle general-purpose operations. This universal memory architecture allows the system to support concurrent computations without requiring entirely separate memory systems, managing complexity through shared control logic and unified address space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20260064803A1Matrix multiply-accumulate accelerators for MMA operations

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 NVIDIA CORP

AI summary

Apparatuses, systems, and techniques to perform an matrix multiply accumulate (MMA) instruction to cause a plurality of portions of an MMA operation to be performed using a corresponding plurality of MMA accelerators. In at least one embodiment, a processor retrieves a plurality of matrix information from a memory that exclusively stores and performs a multiplication computation using said matrix information.