Segment Load and Store With Byte-Wise Mux Shuffling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for loading and storing data with interleaved data types in processing systems are inefficient, either being slow or requiring costly dedicated logic.
Innovation Solution
Utilize a byte-wise anything-to-anything mux present in the CPU to rearrange data within registers and memory to ensure same-type data is stored together, eliminating the need for additional dedicated logic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If dedicated logic is used to load all data into memory, shuffle the data, and write to correct registers, then data loading efficiency is improved, but device area cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing byte-wise mux in the CPU is made to perform the data shuffling function that would otherwise require dedicated logic. The mux, already present for other purposes, is repurposed to reorder data elements during segment load operations, eliminating the need for additional dedicated shuffling logic and reducing device area cost while maintaining data loading efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The byte-wise mux is used for multiple purposes: its original function plus the additional function of shuffling data elements during segment loads. This multi-functional use of existing hardware eliminates the need for dedicated shuffling logic, resolving the contradiction between efficiency and area cost
2Ease of operation
If data is loaded one element at a time into the correct register, then data is placed in the correct register, but processing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
All data elements are loaded into a temporary buffer register first, before any shuffling or reordering operations are performed. This preliminary loading of all elements simultaneously, followed by subsequent shuffling, maintains high processing speed while ensuring correct final placement of each element type in its designated register
Solution Approach 2:
The data loading process is segmented into two distinct phases: first, loading all data elements into a temporary buffer; second, shuffling the elements within the buffer to reorder them by type. This segmentation allows simultaneous loading of multiple elements while maintaining placement accuracy through the subsequent organized shuffling phase
3Ease of manufacture
If segment store operations use existing methods, then data is stored in memory, but processing efficiency is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The existing byte-wise mux is utilized to perform the data shuffling required for segment store operations. Instead of implementing a separate store mechanism, the system uses the same mux infrastructure already present for load operations, achieving efficient segmented data storage while maintaining implementation simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The byte-wise mux serves dual purposes: handling both segment load and segment store operations. This universal application of the mux to both loading and storing functions eliminates the need for separate dedicated store logic, improving processing efficiency while keeping the implementation simple and reuseable
Data Source
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AI summary
Segment load operations are performed by processing data through an anything-to-anything mux, and sections writing elements to respective storage locations based on corresponding indices of the elements and the storage locations. Once all of the elements are loaded into the correct storage location, each location is read again with the elements of that storage location being sent through the mux, arranged) into the correct order, and written back to the same register.