Programmable Fabric ISA Integration for Low-Latency Coherent Offload
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compute models for offload computing in processors face limitations due to latency, memory coherency, and flexibility issues in interconnects such as PCIE/Ethernet and UPI/IAL/CCIX-based accelerators, which hinder efficient computation for certain tasks.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a programmable fabric, such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), into the processor's architecture to create a flexible instruction set architecture (ISA) that enhances computation flexibility and reduces latency by allowing custom instructions and cache coherency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If PCIE/Ethernet-based accelerators are used for offloading operations, then device versatility is improved, but latency increases significantly and memory coherency is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the accelerator functionality directly into the processor by integrating a programmable logic device (PLD) within the processor package. This consolidation eliminates the need for external interconnects like PCIE or Ethernet, allowing the accelerator to operate as an integrated component with direct access to processor resources, thereby reducing latency while maintaining versatility through programmability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a unified cache memory structure that acts as an intermediary between the processor core and the programmable logic device. This shared cache provides memory coherency by mediating data access between the two components, eliminating the coherency issues associated with external accelerators while maintaining the versatility of programmable acceleration.
2Loss of time
If UPI/IAL/CCIX-based accelerators are used for offloading operations, then latency is reduced compared to PCIE/Ethernet, but flexibility and adaptability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamically reconfigurable programmable logic device that can be programmed at runtime to adapt to different computational workloads. This dynamic programmability allows the system to maintain low latency through integrated architecture while simultaneously providing high flexibility by allowing the acceleration functionality to be reconfigured for different tasks, unlike fixed-function accelerators.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated programmable logic device serves multiple functions by being programmable for different acceleration tasks. Rather than requiring separate specialized accelerators for different workloads, this single integrated component can be reconfigured to handle various computational tasks, providing universal acceleration capability that combines low latency with high adaptability.
3Productivity
If external accelerators are used for offloading operations, then specialized computation capability is improved, but memory coherency and integration are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the accelerator and processor into a single integrated package with shared memory resources. This consolidation ensures that the programmable logic device has direct access to the processor's cache memory, maintaining memory coherency while providing specialized computation capability for accelerated performance.
4Productivity
If fixed-function accelerators are used for offloading operations, then performance for specific tasks is improved, but adaptability to new workloads is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a dynamically programmable logic device that can be reconfigured at runtime to adapt to different computational workloads. This dynamic reconfigurability allows the system to maintain high performance for current tasks while simultaneously being adaptable to new workloads, unlike fixed-function accelerators that are optimized for specific tasks only.
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device may include a programmable fabric and a processor. The processor may utilize one or more extension architectures. At least one of these extension architectures may be used to integrate and/or embed the programmable fabric into the processor as part of the processor. Specifically, a buffer of the extension architecture may be used to load data to and store data from the programmable fabric.