Parallel Processing Hazard Detection with Store Probes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current parallel processing architectures face challenges in efficiently managing memory hazards during data processing, particularly when load and store operations attempt to access the same memory address simultaneously, leading to race conditions and data corruption.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a processor-implemented method that uses an array of compute elements with hazard detection and store probes, where a compiler generates wide control words to manage data access, detect memory hazards, and mitigate them by delaying or reordering operations, ensuring proper data sequencing and avoiding hazards through access buffers and a crossbar switch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If parallel processing operations are executed simultaneously to improve productivity, then processing speed increases, but memory hazards and race conditions occur leading to data corruption
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary hazard detection by examining pending data cache accesses before commits occur. Store probes are issued in advance to check for potential conflicts, and hazards are detected before they can cause data corruption. This preliminary action allows the system to prevent race conditions while maintaining parallel processing throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary mechanisms including access buffers that hold pending data cache accesses, hazard detection logic that mediates between store and load operations, and commit logic that coordinates access ordering. These intermediaries act as mediators to resolve potential conflicts without serializing all operations, thus maintaining productivity while ensuring data integrity.
2Reliability
If hazard detection and store probes are implemented to prevent data corruption, then data integrity is improved, but processing overhead and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hazard detection functionality is extracted as a separate, dedicated logic component that operates independently from the main parallel processing pipeline. Store probes are extracted as distinct operations that can be performed without blocking the primary computation flow. This extraction allows hazard detection to be implemented with minimal impact on the core processing architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service hazard detection where the parallel processing operations themselves generate the necessary information for hazard detection. Pending data cache accesses are automatically examined, and store probes are automatically issued as part of the normal operation flow. The system serves its own hazard detection needs without requiring external intervention or additional complex control logic.
3Reliability
If data cache accesses are examined and committed based on hazard detection results, then memory access safety is improved, but access latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs partial hazard detection by examining only pending data cache accesses that are relevant to potential conflicts, rather than serializing all memory operations. Not all accesses require full hazard detection and commitment sequencing - only those that are pending and potentially conflicting. This partial action approach maintains memory access safety while minimizing the latency impact on non-conflicting operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for parallel processing using hazard detection and store probes are disclosed. An array of compute elements is accessed. Each compute element within the array of compute elements is known to a compiler and is coupled to its neighboring compute elements within the array of compute elements. Control for the compute elements is provided on a cycle-by-cycle basis. Control is enabled by a stream of wide control words generated by the compiler. Data to be stored by the array of compute elements is managed. The data to be stored is targeted to a data cache coupled to the array of compute elements. The managing includes detecting and mitigating memory hazards. Pending data cache accesses are probed for hazards. The examining comprises a store probe. Store data is committed to the data cache. The committing is based on a result of the store probe.