SIMT Processor Storage Segmentation for Thread-Specific Data Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing SIMT processors face inefficiencies in data management and processing due to the lack of optimized storage solutions for data elements across multiple threads, leading to suboptimal performance in graphics and general-purpose computing tasks.
Innovation Solution
A SIMT processor design that incorporates a register file with sets of storage locations corresponding to different threads within a parallel thread group, allowing for efficient storage and retrieval of data elements, enhancing data management and processing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single shared storage structure is used for all threads, then device complexity is reduced, but data management efficiency deteriorates due to lack of thread-specific optimization
Solution Approach 1:
The storage structure is segmented into multiple sets of storage locations, where each set corresponds to a specific thread within a parallel thread group. This segmentation allows each thread to have dedicated storage space, improving data management efficiency by eliminating contention and enabling thread-specific optimization, while maintaining overall system organization through the structured multi-set architecture.
2Speed
If thread-specific storage locations are implemented, then data retrieval efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional storage structures
Solution Approach 1:
The register file is divided into multiple sets of storage locations, with each set dedicated to a specific thread. This segmentation enables direct addressing of thread-specific data, significantly improving retrieval speed by eliminating the need to search through shared storage. The complexity is managed through a systematic organization where each set follows the same structure, allowing for efficient control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
Each set of storage locations is optimized for its corresponding thread's specific data access patterns and requirements. This local optimization allows each thread to have storage characteristics tailored to its workload, improving overall system performance while maintaining a regular, manageable structure across the entire register file.
3Manufacturing precision
If shared storage is used across all threads, then manufacturing precision requirements are simplified, but processing efficiency deteriorates due to data access conflicts
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the storage structure into thread-specific sets, the patent eliminates data access conflicts that occur in shared storage systems. Each thread has dedicated storage locations, ensuring that parallel processing operations can proceed without synchronization overhead or data conflicts, thereby improving processing efficiency while maintaining clear, precise storage allocation.
4Manufacturing precision
If dedicated storage locations per thread are implemented, then data management precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The register file architecture is segmented into multiple sets of storage locations, with each set dedicated to a specific thread. This segmentation provides precise data storage allocation for each thread, ensuring that data elements are stored and retrieved with high precision and without ambiguity. The overall complexity is managed through a regular, repeating structure across all sets, allowing for efficient control and management logic.
Data Source
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AI summary
A single instruction, multiple thread (SIMT) processor of an aspect includes a register file having a plurality of sets of registers. Each of the plurality of sets of registers corresponds to a different thread of a parallel thread group. The SIMT processor also includes a storage coupled with the register file. The storage has a plurality of sets of one or more data element storage locations. Each of the plurality of sets of one or more data element storage locations corresponds to a different thread of the parallel thread group. Each of the sets of one or more data element storage locations is to store a copy of one or more data elements from only a subset of the set of registers for the corresponding thread. Other SIMT processors, methods, and systems are also disclosed.