Register Mode Bit Storage for Efficient Data Metadata Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data processing systems face inefficiencies when handling registers that store both data and metadata, as they either lose metadata or waste space, requiring multiple operations for storage and restoration, which is impractical and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A data processing apparatus with mode bit storage circuitry to determine whether registers are in data or metadata mode, allowing for single-operation storage and loading of valid bits, with execution circuitry to store or load data bits and metadata bits accordingly, and additional type bits to facilitate correct interpretation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If all registers are treated as having only data validly stored, then space is saved for registers without metadata, but metadata is lost for registers that have it
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic storage by allowing registers to switch between data mode and metadata mode based on their current state. Each register has mode bit storage circuitry that indicates whether it currently holds data or metadata, enabling the storage system to adaptively adjust the amount of space allocated and the operations performed on each register.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the state parameter of registers by introducing mode bits that can be set to indicate data mode or metadata mode. This parameter change allows the system to differentiate between registers containing data versus those containing metadata, enabling appropriate storage and retrieval operations for each type.
2Loss of information
If all registers are treated as having metadata validly stored, then metadata is preserved, but space is wasted for registers without metadata
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts storage allocation based on the actual content of each register. By using mode bit storage circuitry to track whether each register contains data or metadata, the system can optimize storage space by only allocating metadata space when actually needed, rather than universally allocating space for all registers.
3Reliability
If two separate save mechanisms are provided for registers with valid metadata and registers without valid metadata, then correct storage is achieved, but program length increases and time efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal save mechanism that can handle both data-only registers and metadata registers through a single unified process. The execution circuitry automatically determines the mode of each register using mode bit storage circuitry and performs the appropriate storage operation, eliminating the need for separate save mechanisms while maintaining correctness for both types of registers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by having the execution circuitry automatically detect the mode of each register through mode bit storage circuitry and autonomously select the appropriate storage operation. This eliminates the need for manual intervention or separate programmed sequences for different register types, improving both efficiency and correctness.
4Reliability
If two separate instructions are provided for storing registers with and without metadata, then storage correctness is improved, but device complexity and instruction set size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal store instruction that can handle both data-only and metadata registers through a single opcode. The execution circuitry uses mode bit storage circuitry to automatically determine the appropriate storage behavior for each register, eliminating the need for multiple specialized instructions and reducing instruction set complexity while maintaining storage correctness.
Solution Approach 2:
The mode bit storage circuitry acts as an intermediary between the execution circuitry and the registers, providing information about the state of each register. This intermediary enables the single store instruction to correctly handle different register types without requiring separate instructions, simplifying the instruction set while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a data processing apparatus comprising a plurality of registers, each of the registers having data bits to store data and metadata bits to store metadata. Each of the registers is adapted to operate in a metadata mode in which the metadata bits and the data bits are valid, and a data mode in which the data bits are valid and the metadata bits are invalid. Mode bit storage circuitry indicates whether each of the registers is in the data mode or the metadata mode. Execution circuitry is responsive to a memory operation that is a store operation on one or more given registers.