Multi-Slice Processor Exception Handling in Nested Translation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current computer processors face inefficiencies in operation speed and power consumption, particularly in handling complex data processing tasks across multiple slices, where error handling and address translation in nested translation environments can lead to performance bottlenecks and resource misallocation.
Innovation Solution
A multi-slice processor architecture that includes execution slices and load/store slices connected via a results bus, with a translation cache, enabling real address determination from cache hits, error condition assessment, and process type identification to initiate effective address translations, even on cache misses, to manage exceptions and optimize data access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional address translation is performed only on cache misses, then cache hit rate is improved, but exception handling accuracy deteriorates in nested translation environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic address translation by initiating translation processes based on real-time error conditions rather than static cache miss rules. When an error condition is detected during address access, the system dynamically triggers a translation process to determine the correct process type, allowing the translation behavior to adapt to actual runtime conditions while maintaining high cache hit rates for normal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of translation initiation from a binary cache hit/miss condition to a multi-state condition that includes error condition detection. By monitoring error conditions and process type indicators, the system adjusts when translation should occur, transforming the translation parameter from a simple cache status check to a complex conditional decision that improves both cache efficiency and exception handling accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If address translation is initiated on every error condition, then exception handling accuracy is improved, but processing speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The load/store slice performs self-service by autonomously detecting error conditions and determining whether translation is needed based on process type indicators. The system uses built-in error detection mechanisms and process type information to make local decisions about translation initiation, eliminating the need for external control and reducing unnecessary translation operations that would slow down processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by using error condition signals and process type indicators to control translation initiation. When an error condition is detected, the system feeds back this information to the translation mechanism, which then decides whether to perform translation based on the process type. This feedback loop ensures translation occurs only when necessary, maintaining high processing speed while improving exception handling accuracy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If nested translation environments are fully supported, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the translation environment into distinct slices (execution slices and load/store slices) with specialized responsibilities. The load/store slice handles address translation and error detection, while execution slices focus on instruction execution. This segmentation allows nested translation environments to be supported through modular, independent components rather than a monolithic complex system, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism (the load/store slice with error condition detection) that mediates between the execution slices and the translation cache. This intermediary detects error conditions, determines process types, and controls translation initiation, simplifying the interaction between nested translation environments and reducing the complexity of direct full-system translation support.
Data Source
AI summary
Operation of a multi-slice processor that includes a plurality of execution slices, a plurality of load/store slices, and one or more translation caches, where operation includes: determining, at the load/store slice, a real address from a cache hit in the translation cache for an effective address for an instruction received at a load/store slice; determining, at the load/store slice, an error condition corresponding to an access of the real address; determining, at the load/store slice, a process type indicating a source of the instruction to be a guest process; and responsive to determining the error condition, initiating, in dependence upon the process type indicating a source of the instruction to be a guest process, an effective address translation corresponding to a cache miss in the translation cache for the effective address for the instruction.