Parallel Instruction Demarcator for Variable-Length Code
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional processing units face challenges in efficiently demarcating instructions of varying lengths, leading to increased power and area costs, energy consumption, and complex decoding logic in both RISC and CISC architectures.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an instruction demarcator system that uses a sequence of logic blocks and a controlling logic block to determine the length and boundaries of instructions, employing carryover storage entities and decoupler control signals to accurately demarcate instructions, allowing for efficient handling of instructions of different lengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional CISC architecture uses instructions of varied lengths with shifting/rotating logic, then instruction demarcation capability is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The instruction buffer is divided into fixed-size syllable units (e.g., 4 bits each), and a sequence of logic blocks processes these syllables in parallel to determine instruction boundaries. This segmentation approach allows variable-length instruction handling through a systematic division of the instruction stream into manageable units, reducing the complexity of individual decoding logic while maintaining adaptability to different instruction lengths
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from sequential byte-shifting/rotating approaches to a parallel processing dimension by using multiple logic blocks that simultaneously evaluate different syllables. This dimensional shift from sequential to parallel processing reduces decoding logic complexity while maintaining the ability to handle variable instruction lengths through the carryover mechanism across time cycles
2Measurement precision
If traditional CISC architecture uses elaborate decoders to determine instruction boundaries, then instruction demarcation accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The logic blocks operate continuously on instruction syllables in parallel, with each block processing a specific syllable position. The carryover storage entity maintains state information across time cycles, allowing the system to continuously determine instruction boundaries without intermittent complex decoding operations. This continuous parallel processing reduces power consumption compared to elaborate sequential decoders
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the fixed-length syllable structure and parallel logic blocks to automatically determine instruction boundaries through the carryover mechanism, eliminating the need for elaborate decoders. The logic blocks self-determine instruction boundaries by processing syllables in sequence through time cycles, reducing power consumption while maintaining boundary detection accuracy
3Device complexity
If standard instruction width is used for boundary marking, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to varied instruction lengths is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts to variable instruction lengths by using a sequence of logic blocks that process syllables in parallel across multiple time cycles. The carryover storage entity enables the system to maintain state information across cycles, allowing fixed-width syllable processing to dynamically accommodate variable-length instructions. This dynamic approach maintains simplicity in individual logic blocks while achieving adaptability at the system level
Data Source
AI summary
Parallel instruction demarcators and methods for parallel instruction demarcation are included, wherein an instruction syllable sequence comprising a plurality of instruction syllables is received and stored at an instruction buffer. It is determined, using one or more logic blocks arranged in a sequence, a size of an instruction and at least one boundary at which the instruction is demarcated. Additionally, using a controlling logic block a restart point is determined from where the sequence of instruction syllables is examined and demarcated into individual instructions.