State Machine Signal Multiplexing for Parallel Pattern Recognition
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional computing systems face inefficiencies in pattern recognition due to the need to search large volumes of data for multiple patterns sequentially, leading to bottlenecks and slowed data processing, especially when compared to the biological brain's hierarchical and parallel processing capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A state machine engine with finite state machine lattices arranged in a hierarchical structure, allowing multiple FSMs to analyze data in parallel, with cascaded clusters processing data streams in series to recognize complex patterns efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple patterns are searched sequentially in a data stream, then each pattern can be detected accurately, but the processing time increases and data reception is slowed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the pattern recognition task into multiple independent finite state machine (FSM) circuits, each responsible for detecting a specific pattern. These segmented circuits operate in parallel on the same data stream, allowing multiple patterns to be detected simultaneously without sequential delays, thus resolving the contradiction between accurate pattern detection and processing speed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from sequential one-dimensional processing to parallel multi-dimensional processing by organizing multiple FSM circuits in a hierarchical structure with multiple levels. Each level processes patterns independently in parallel, adding a temporal dimension to the processing architecture, which enables simultaneous pattern detection across multiple dimensions without increasing processing delay
2Productivity
If a large number of circuits operate in parallel to search for patterns, then pattern detection speed improves, but the intermediate results become larger than the original input data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential matching information from each parallel circuit operation, using compact FSM state representations that capture pattern match status without generating full intermediate results. Each FSM circuit outputs simplified state information rather than complete pattern matching details, reducing intermediate data volume while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The hierarchical FSM structure allows lower-level circuits to discard detailed intermediate results that are not needed for higher-level pattern recognition. Only essential matching information is passed upward through the hierarchy, and original data can be recovered and reprocessed if needed, as the system maintains the ability to reinitialize FSM states without retaining all intermediate computational results
3Device complexity
If sequential processing is used to maintain simple system architecture, then device complexity remains low, but processing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested hierarchical structure where multiple levels of FSM circuits are organized in a compact, integrated architecture. Lower-level FSMs are nested within higher-level FSM structures, creating a space-efficient design that parallelizes processing without proportionally increasing physical device complexity. This nested organization allows fast parallel processing while maintaining architectural simplicity through hierarchical abstraction
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes a plurality of blocks. Each block of the plurality of blocks includes a plurality of rows. Each row of the plurality of rows includes a plurality of configurable elements and a routing line, whereby each configurable element of the plurality of configurable elements includes a data analysis element comprising a plurality of memory cells, wherein the data analysis element is configured to analyze at least a portion of a data stream and to output a result of the analysis. Each configurable element of the plurality of configurable elements also includes a multiplexer configured to transmit the result to the routing line.