Redundant Shader Switch Reroutes Defective Pipe Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Graphics processing units (GPUs) face performance degradation due to defective shader pipes, requiring recalculation of entire arrays, which is time-consuming and reduces overall system performance.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a redundant shader pipe array and switch to reroute data from defective shader pipes to redundant columns for processing, synchronizing the output to maintain system performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire shader pipe array is recalculated to correct a defective pipeline, then the defective pipeline is corrected, but processing time increases and overall system performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The shader pipe array is divided into independent columns, each capable of processing data independently. When a defect is detected in one column, only that specific column is recalculated using redundant pipes, while other columns continue processing normally. This segmentation allows localized repair without requiring recalculation of the entire array, thus reducing processing time while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Redundant shader pipes are introduced as copies of the original pipes. These redundant pipes serve as backup processing paths that can take over when a primary pipe is defective. The redundant pipes are pre-configured and ready to process data immediately when needed, eliminating the need to recalculate the entire array and significantly reducing the time loss associated with defect correction.
2Reliability
If redundant shader pipes are introduced to repair defective pipelines, then system reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates dynamic control mechanisms that automatically detect defective pipes and route data to redundant pipes only when needed. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain simplicity during normal operation while providing redundancy only when defects occur, thus improving reliability without permanently increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the entire shader pipe array redundant, the invention applies redundancy locally only to the specific column that contains the defect. The redundant pipes are activated only for the affected area, minimizing the impact on overall system complexity while still providing effective repair capability for the defective pipeline.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are described. A system includes a redundant shader pipe array that performs rendering calculations on data provided thereto and a shader pipe array that includes a plurality of shader pipes, each of which performs rendering calculations on data provided thereto. The system also includes a circuit that identifies a defective shader pipe of the plurality of shader pipes in the shader pipe array. In response to identifying the defective shader pipe, the circuit generates a signal. The system also includes a redundant shader switch. The redundant shader switch receives the generated signal, and, in response to receiving the generated signal, transfers the data for the defective shader pipe to the redundant shader pipe array.