Single-Thread Instruction Pipelining with Hazard Scheduler Hints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-threaded processor architectures face inefficiencies in single thread execution due to data hazards, which are typically addressed by software or hardware solutions that increase processing time and require additional circuitry, such as hazard detection units (DTUs), leading to increased die size and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an instruction hint mechanism that detects independent instructions within a thread and configures the instruction scheduler to execute them in a pipelined manner, reducing the need for hardware-based hazard detection units and allowing for serial execution of consecutive instructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hazard detection units (DTUs) are added to detect and address data hazards, then data hazard detection capability is improved, but device complexity and die size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the hazard detection function from dedicated hardware circuitry (DTUs) and relocates it to software-based solutions at the compiler level. The compiler analyzes instruction sequences and inserts appropriate delay instructions to prevent data hazards, eliminating the need for complex hardware detection units while maintaining reliable hazard prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/hardware-based hazard detection system (DTUs) with a software-based system implemented through compiler optimizations. This substitution reduces hardware complexity and die size while achieving the same functional outcome of detecting and resolving data hazards through intelligent instruction scheduling.
2Reliability
If hazard detection units (DTUs) are added to detect and address data hazards, then data hazard detection capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the power-consuming DTU hardware component by extracting the hazard detection function and implementing it in software at the compiler level. This elimination of dedicated hazard detection circuitry directly reduces power consumption while maintaining the ability to detect and resolve data hazards through compiler-generated delay instructions.
3Reliability
If delay instructions (nop) are inserted to address data hazards, then data hazard prevention is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the compiler analyze instruction sequences beforehand and insert delay instructions only where and when necessary to prevent data hazards. This selective insertion of nop instructions minimizes the impact on processing time while ensuring data hazard prevention, unlike blanket approaches that would insert delays more conservatively.
4Device complexity
If software based solutions are used to address data hazards, then device complexity is reduced, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary analysis of instruction sequences at compile time to identify data hazards and insert appropriate delay instructions. By resolving hazards before runtime, the software-based solution avoids adding overhead during execution, thus minimizing processing time impact while maintaining reduced device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of when hazard detection and resolution occur, moving it from runtime hardware detection to compiletime software analysis. This temporal parameter change allows for optimized insertion of delay instructions that minimize execution time impact while achieving hazard prevention through software-based methods.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for power and latency reduction in processing thread execution code in a multithreaded architecture is disclosed. The method includes: receiving a plurality of threads, each thread including a plurality of instructions for execution on a core of a plurality of cores of a processing circuitry; detecting in a first thread of the plurality of threads a plurality of subsequent independent instructions; and inserting into an instruction an instruction hint which when executed configures an instruction scheduler of the processing circuitry to serially execute the plurality of subsequent independent instructions.