Processor Consolidating Unmasked Data Elements and Updating Indices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current processors lack an efficient method to consolidate data elements and update indices simultaneously, leading to increased execution time and resource utilization when performing operations like consolidating unmasked data elements and updating indices, particularly in operations involving packed data.
Innovation Solution
A processor architecture that includes dedicated instructions and execution units capable of performing consolidate data elements and index update operations in a single instruction, utilizing packed data registers, mask registers, and scalar registers to efficiently consolidate unmasked data elements and update indices without the need for multiple separate instructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate instructions are used to consolidate data elements and update indices, then the operations can be performed, but the execution time and resource utilization increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the consolidation of unmasked data elements and the update of index values into a single instruction operation. The execution unit processes both functions simultaneously, consolidating unmasked data elements from the source packed data into the destination packed data while concurrently updating the index register with the count of consolidated elements, thereby reducing execution time compared to using multiple separate instructions
2Reliability
If multiple separate instructions are used to consolidate data elements and update indices, then the operations can be performed, but resource utilization increases
Solution Approach 1:
The execution unit is designed to handle multiple operations within a single instruction pipeline. The consolidation logic and index update logic are integrated into one execution unit that processes the consolidate unmasked data elements and index update instruction, reducing the number of separate execution units or functional blocks needed compared to implementing these operations with multiple separate instructions
Data Source
AI summary
A decode unit to decode an instruction that indicates a source packed data that includes data elements, and indicates a source mask that includes mask elements. Each of the mask elements corresponds to a different one of the data elements. Each of the mask elements is one of a masked mask element and an unmasked mask element. The processor also includes an execution unit coupled with the decode unit. The execution unit, in response to the instruction, is to store a result packed data. When the source packed data includes one or more masked data elements disposed within unmasked data elements, the result packed data includes, the unmasked data elements consolidated together without the one or more masked data elements disposed within them. The execution unit, is to store a result in a second destination storage location that reflects a number of the unmasked data elements consolidated together.