Target Vector Micro-Operations Cache Architecture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current computer systems face inefficiencies in processing instructions due to the duplication of micro-operations across cache lines, leading to increased conflict misses and reduced cache utilization, particularly in micro-operations caches.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a target vector micro-operations cache (TV-UC) that uses a target vector cache (TVC) to eliminate duplicate instructions by storing micro-operations and their locations, allowing for efficient retrieval and execution of micro-operations through a pipelined process, reducing the time required to supply micro-operations to the execution unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional micro-operations cache stores micro-operations in cache lines, then micro-operations can be cached and retrieved, but duplication of micro-operations across cache lines causes increased conflict misses and reduced cache utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the micro-operations cache into two distinct components: a target vector cache (TVC) that stores only target instructions (markers), and a micro-operations cache (UC) that stores actual micro-operations. This segmentation allows each component to serve its specific function optimally, eliminating duplication issues while maintaining efficient retrieval.
Solution Approach 2:
The target vector cache acts as an intermediary between the instruction cache and the micro-operations cache. It stores target instructions (markers) that indicate the location of micro-operations in the UC, enabling efficient indirect addressing and eliminating the need for direct storage of duplicate micro-operations across multiple cache lines.
2Loss of time
If the micro-operations cache uses traditional cache lines to store micro-operations, then storage is straightforward, but retrieving micro-operations takes 20 or more clock cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The target vector cache stores target instructions (markers) in advance that indicate the location of micro-operations in the UC. When a micro-operation needs to be retrieved, the system first looks up the marker in the TVC to determine the correct location in the UC, enabling faster direct access without sequential scanning through multiple cache lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimensional approach by storing not just the micro-operations themselves but also their location information (target vectors) in a separate cache structure. This adds a metadata dimension that enables O(1) location determination instead of linear search, dramatically reducing retrieval time from 20+ to 2-3 clock cycles.
3Speed
If the cache architecture stores both micro-operations and their location indications in separate caches, then retrieval speed increases to 2-3 clock cycles, but the device complexity increases with two cache structures
Solution Approach 1:
The target vector cache serves multiple functions: it stores target instructions, provides location information for micro-operations, and acts as an indexing structure for the UC. This multi-functionality justifies the additional cache structure by consolidating several functions into one component rather than requiring separate structures for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The architecture implements a nested structure where the TVC contains target vectors that point to locations within the UC. This nested arrangement allows the system to leverage the UC's storage capacity while using the TVC for rapid location determination, achieving fast retrieval without requiring a completely separate parallel storage system.
Data Source
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AI summary
Various example embodiments for supporting processor capabilities are presented herein. Various example embodiments may be configured to support a micro-architecture for a micro-operations cache (UC) of a processor. Various example embodiments for supporting a micro-architecture for a UC of a processor may be configured to implement the UC of a processor using a target vector UC (TV-UC). Various example embodiments for supporting a TV-UC for a processor may be configured to support a processor including a TV-UC where the TV-UC includes a micro-operations cache (UC) configured to store a cache line including sets of micro-operations (UOPs) from instructions decoded by the processor and a target vector cache (TVC) configured to store indications of locations of the sets of UOPs in the cache line of the UC.