Multi-Slice Processor Unaligned Load Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current computer systems face challenges in handling unaligned load operations across multiple processor slices, as existing methods struggle to efficiently manage data loading from caches associated with distinct processor slices, leading to inefficiencies in data processing and assembly.
Innovation Solution
A method for handling unaligned load operations in a multi-slice computer processor involves receiving a request to load data from a range of addresses, determining which addresses are associated with multiple caches, issuing requests to each processor slice to load data from its associated cache, executing these requests independently, and assembling the results from each processor slice over data communications buses, while formatting and shifting data to align with the original request.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data loading requests are issued to multiple processor slices simultaneously for unaligned load operations, then data processing efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to coordinating multiple caches and assembly operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the data loading operation into separate segments for each processor slice. Each slice independently handles its own cache memory portion, allowing parallel data loading without requiring complex centralized coordination. The unaligned load request is segmented into multiple aligned requests, each directed to a specific processor slice's cache, thereby improving efficiency while managing complexity through division of labor.
2Productivity
If processor slices operate independently to load data from their own caches, then system performance is enhanced through parallelism, but manufacturing precision requirements increase for ensuring accurate data assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary assembly mechanism that receives data from multiple independent processor slices and correctly reassembles it. This intermediary component handles the coordination of data assembly, ensuring that data from different slices is correctly positioned and combined according to the original unaligned load request, thereby maintaining accuracy while allowing independent parallel operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by having each processor slice independently prepare and load its portion of data from cache before the final assembly step. This preliminary independent loading ensures that each slice completes its data retrieval operation without waiting for others, maximizing parallelism, while the subsequent assembly phase ensures accurate recombination of the independently loaded data portions.
Data Source
AI summary
Handling unaligned load operations, including: receiving a request to load data stored within a range of addresses; determining that the range of addresses includes addresses associated with a plurality of caches, wherein each of the plurality of caches are associated with a distinct processor slice; issuing, to each distinct processor slice, a request to load data stored within a cache associated with the distinct processor slice, wherein the request to load data stored within the cache associated with the distinct processor slice includes a portion of the range of addresses; executing, by each distinct processor slice, the request to load data stored within the cache associated with the distinct processor slice; and receiving, over a plurality of data communications busses, execution results from each distinct processor slice, wherein each data communications busses is associated with one of the distinct processor slices.