Physical and Logical Counter Mapping for Die Space Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of events to be counted in integrated circuits leads to a significant increase in required circuitry, occupying valuable die space and reducing space for functional components, as each event type typically necessitates dedicated counter circuitry.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a fixed set of physical counters and associating each event type with a logical counter, using a physical counter mapping structure to dynamically allocate physical counters among logical counters, reducing the need for dedicated counters for each event type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated physical counters are implemented for each event type, then counting accuracy and reliability are improved, but die space consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
A fixed set of physical counters is designed to serve multiple logical counters through dynamic association. The physical counters can be allocated to different logical counters based on demand, allowing the same physical hardware to perform multiple counting functions sequentially. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by enabling reliable counting for many event types without requiring dedicated physical counters for each, thus maintaining counting accuracy while significantly reducing die space consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic association between physical counters and logical counters through a mapping structure that can be updated in real-time. When a logical counter needs to be incremented, the system dynamically determines which physical counter to use, allocating physical resources as needed rather than having fixed dedicated assignments. This dynamic allocation allows the same physical counters to serve different logical counters at different times, maintaining counting reliability while optimizing die space utilization.
2Area of stationary object
If the number of physical counters is reduced to save die space, then die space for functional circuitry is improved, but the ability to track multiple event types simultaneously is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a temporal dimension to counter allocation by implementing periodic flushing of physical counters to external memory. Instead of requiring simultaneous dedicated physical counters for all event types, the system uses time-multiplexed allocation where physical counters are shared across different logical counters in sequence. The external memory stores historical counting data, allowing the system to track multiple event types over time with fewer physical counters, thus improving die space for functional circuitry while maintaining versatile event tracking capability through the added time dimension.
Solution Approach 2:
External memory is introduced as an intermediary between the limited physical counters and the requirement to track multiple event types. The external memory acts as a buffer that stores counting data when physical counters are flushed, enabling the system to maintain event tracking capability for multiple event types even when physical counters are reused. This intermediary allows the system to overcome the limitation of having fewer physical counters than event types, preserving adaptability while reducing die space requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for reducing a number of physical counters are provided. Logical counters may be associated with physical counters. The number of physical counters may be less than the number of logical counters. It may be determined if an association of a logical counter to a physical counter exists already. If not, a new association may be created. The physical counter associated with the logical counter may then be updated.