Parallel Processing Device Context Setup
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multiprocessor systems, the overhead time for resetting the context data of internal registers when transferring processes between processors can exceed the processing time of FPGA circuits, leading to reduced throughput, especially when the number of processing tasks increases.
Innovation Solution
A parallel processing device where a first processor requests the FPGA circuit to execute part of a process, transitions to a wait state, and sends movement-destination processor information and environment setting information, allowing the destination processor to set up the environment and continue processing upon completion notification from the FPGA circuit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a process is transferred to another processor when the original processor transitions to execution of a second process, then processor utilization is improved, but overhead time for resetting context data increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by having the destination processor set up the execution environment in advance, during the FPGA circuit processing period. The destination processor receives environment setting information from the first processor and configures its registers and memory before the FPGA processing completes, so that when the process is transferred, no context reset is needed.
2Productivity
If the number of processing tasks by FPGA circuit is increased, then processing throughput is improved, but reduction in throughput due to overhead time becomes greater
Solution Approach 1:
The destination processor performs preliminary setup of the execution environment during the FPGA processing time. By receiving environment setting information and configuring registers and memory in advance, the system eliminates the overhead that would otherwise occur during process transfer, allowing increased FPGA task processing without proportional increases in overhead time.
3Loss of time
If environment setting information is prepared in advance by the first processor, then overhead time is reduced, but communication overhead between processors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a message passing mechanism as an intermediary for communication between processors. The first processor sends environment setting information to the destination processor through structured messages that contain only the necessary data for process continuation. This standardized communication approach minimizes overhead while enabling the destination processor to prepare the execution environment in advance.
Data Source
AI summary
A parallel processing device includes processors that execute respective processes and cause an FPGA circuit to process part of the processes. A first processor of the processors requests the FPGA to execute processing of part of a first process currently being executed, and transitions to a wait state of processing completion of the FPGA and, when the first processor initiates execution of a second process, the first processor sends movement-destination processor information to the FPGA, and also sends, to a movement-destination processor, environment setting information for the first process after completion in the FPGA. And the movement-destination processor performs setting of the environment setting information during the execution of the processing of the part of the first process by the FPGA circuit, and continues the processing of the first process in response to a processing completion notification from the FPGA circuit.