Packed Data Alignment Plus Compute Instructions
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Solution Overview
Problem
In processors with SIMD architectures, the need for separate packed data alignment instructions increases processing time and resource usage, as well as power consumption, due to the requirement for additional instructions to align data elements before computation can occur.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of packed data alignment plus compute instructions, which combine data alignment and computation within a single instruction, allowing for flexible data element offsets to align and operate on packed data elements concurrently, reducing the need for separate alignment instructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate packed data alignment instructions are used, then data elements can be aligned before computation, but processing time increases and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines data alignment and compute operations into a single packed data alignment plus compute instruction. This merging eliminates the need for separate alignment instructions, reducing processing time while maintaining alignment precision. The instruction performs both alignment of packed data elements and subsequent compute operations in one unified operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment operation is performed as a preliminary step within the same instruction that performs the compute operation. By embedding the alignment action beforehand within the compute instruction, the patent eliminates the need for a separate preliminary alignment step, thereby reducing overall processing time while ensuring data is properly aligned before computation.
2Measurement precision
If separate packed data alignment instructions are used, then data elements can be aligned before computation, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges alignment and compute operations into a single instruction, reducing the total number of instructions executed. This consolidation reduces power consumption by eliminating the energy required to execute separate alignment instructions while maintaining the same alignment precision through the integrated operation.
3Measurement precision
If separate packed data alignment instructions are used, then data elements can be aligned before computation, but the number of instructions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines alignment and compute operations into a single packed data alignment plus compute instruction, reducing the total instruction count. This merging simplifies the instruction sequence while maintaining alignment precision, as the alignment functionality is integrated within the compute instruction rather than requiring a separate prior instruction.
4Productivity
If packed data alignment plus compute instructions are used, then processing time is reduced and register availability increases, but the instruction complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The packed data alignment plus compute instruction serves multiple functions: it performs data alignment, executes compute operations, and manages register availability all within a single instruction. This multi-functionality increases processing speed by eliminating separate alignment steps while the universal nature of the instruction handles various data element types and operations, balancing the increased functional complexity with broader applicability.
Data Source
AI summary
A processor includes a decode unit to decode a packed data alignment plus compute instruction. The instruction is to indicate a first set of one or more source packed data operands that is to include first data elements, a second set of one or more source packed data operands that is to include second data elements, at least one data element offset. An execution unit, in response to the instruction, is to store a result packed data operand that is to include result data elements that each have a value of an operation performed with a pair of a data element of the first set of source packed data operands and a data element of the second set of source packed data operands. The execution unit is to apply the at least one data element offset to at least a corresponding one of the first and second sets of source packed data operands. The at least one data element offset is to counteract any lack of correspondence between the data elements of each pair in the first and second sets of source packed data operands.