Profile-Guided IC Optimization for Branch Resource Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Programmable integrated circuits often allocate equal resources to branches that are only activated a small percentage of the time, leading to suboptimal performance and bulkier hardware architectures.
Innovation Solution
Implement non-intrusive profilers in the hardware description to gather profiling data, which is used to identify opportunities for hardware optimization, allowing for iterative improvements to resource allocation based on actual usage patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If equal resources are allocated to both branches in the design phase, then the circuit can handle both cases, but the hardware architecture becomes bulkier and performance becomes suboptimal when one branch is used much more frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making different parts of the circuit have different resource allocations based on their usage frequency. The frequently executed branch receives optimized resource allocation while the rarely executed branch uses minimal resources, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic resource allocation through profiling data that captures actual runtime branch execution frequencies. This dynamic information allows the circuit to adapt its resource usage pattern to match actual workload characteristics, improving performance without increasing hardware size
2Reliability
If resources are allocated based on worst-case scenario, then the circuit can handle any branch execution pattern, but resource utilization becomes suboptimal when branches are not evenly distributed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses profiling data as feedback to guide resource allocation decisions. By measuring actual branch execution frequencies and using this feedback to optimize resource distribution, the system achieves both reliability (handling actual workloads effectively) and productivity (efficient resource utilization)
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the allocation parameters from fixed worst-case assumptions to dynamic values based on measured branch frequencies. This parameter adjustment allows the circuit to maintain reliability for actual workload patterns while significantly improving resource utilization efficiency
3Productivity
If profiling data is collected to optimize resource allocation, then performance can be improved, but additional hardware components and design complexity are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs profiling data collection during the design phase before final circuit implementation. This preliminary action captures branch execution frequencies that guide resource allocation, improving performance without adding complex runtime profiling hardware to the final circuit
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for performing profile-guided optimization of integrated circuit hardware are provided. Circuit design tools may receive a source code and compile the source code to generate a hardware description. The hardware description may include profiling blocks configured to measure useful information required for optimization. The hardware description may then be simulated to gather profiling data. The circuit design tools may then analyze the gathered profiling data to identify additional opportunities for hardware optimization. The source code may then be modified based on the analysis of the profiling data to produce a smaller and faster hardware that is better suited to the application.