Programmable Processor Control for Workload-Aware Instruction Scheduling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current CPU architectures struggle to optimize instruction execution across varying workloads without requiring changes in software, leading to suboptimal computational performance due to general-purpose control units failing to adapt to specific workload requirements.

Innovation Solution

A customizable processor control unit dynamically determines a priority order for executing sets of instructions based on workload-specific preferences and requirements, optimizing instruction execution without altering the software stack.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a general purpose control unit is used to drive processor cores, then the system maintains versatility for different software applications, but the instruction execution efficiency deteriorates because the control unit cannot optimize for specific workload requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftware compatibilityVSAvoidinstruction execution efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit is designed with dynamic reconfigurability, allowing it to change its operational characteristics based on the detected workload type. The system can dynamically adjust instruction execution strategies, data path configurations, and resource allocation patterns to match the specific requirements of different workload categories, thereby maintaining both versatility and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit monitors workload characteristics and changes operational parameters such as instruction fetch width, decode complexity, execution pipeline depth, and resource prioritization based on the detected workload type. This parameter adaptation allows the same hardware to optimize performance for different workload categories without requiring physical reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the control unit is configured for maximum efficiency through complex configuration, then instruction execution performance improves, but the system loses adaptability to different software workloads requiring simpler or different configurations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstruction execution performanceVSAvoidworkload adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit employs dynamic configuration capabilities that allow it to switch between different operational modes based on workload detection. Rather than being statically optimized for one type of workload, the system can dynamically adjust its complexity and configuration to match the current workload requirements, achieving both high performance and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit is designed with multi-functionality, incorporating multiple configuration states and operational modes within a single unified structure. This allows the same control unit to efficiently handle diverse workload types by selecting the appropriate configuration mode, eliminating the need for separate specialized control units for different workload categories.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If a single control unit drives multiple processor cores, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to optimize instruction execution for different workloads deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol unit structureVSAvoidworkload-specific optimization

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The single control unit incorporates dynamic reconfiguration capabilities that allow it to adapt its behavior for different workload types while managing multiple processor cores. The control unit can dynamically adjust instruction scheduling, resource allocation, and execution priorities for each core based on the detected workload characteristics, achieving workload-specific optimization without requiring separate control units for each core.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit is functionally segmented into multiple independent subsystems, each capable of handling specific aspects of instruction execution for different processor cores. This internal segmentation allows the single control unit to independently optimize instruction execution for each core based on workload requirements, while maintaining overall structural simplicity and avoiding the need for multiple separate control units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12566611B2Customizable and programmable control mechanism for single and multicore processors

Publication Date: 2026.03.03 GOOGLE LLC

AI summary

Aspects of the disclosed technology include techniques and mechanisms for using a customizable and programmable control mechanism for single and multicore processors to schedule and execute one or more sets of instructions associated with different workloads. The customizable control mechanism may manage the one or more sets of instructions to be executed and may dynamically determine a priority order in which the one or more sets of instructions should be executed. The priority order may be based on workload-specific preferences and workload-specific requirements associated with each set of instructions. The customizable control mechanism may instruct one or more processors to execute the one or more sets of instructions in accordance with the determined priority order.