Tile Register Pair Storage for Matrix Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing computer processor architectures face challenges in efficiently handling large matrices, requiring extensive instruction sets and memory operations that become inefficient with larger data sizes.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a system and method to store and operate on 'tiles' - 2-dimensional data structures representing packed regions of memory, allowing for efficient matrix operations through specialized instructions and hardware support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional processor architectures use standard instructions for matrix operations, then compatibility with existing systems is maintained, but computational efficiency deteriorates for large matrices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomputational efficiencyVSAvoidinstruction set complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments matrix operations into tile-based units, where each tile represents a subset of matrix elements that can be processed independently. This segmentation allows complex matrix operations to be broken down into manageable chunks that fit within standard processor architectures while maintaining efficiency for large matrices through hierarchical processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a tile register pair concept that operates in a dimensional space between traditional scalar registers and full matrix operations. By organizing data into 2D tile structures and using register pairs to hold tile references, the system achieves efficient matrix processing without requiring complete architectural redesign.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If more memory operations are used to handle large matrices, then data processing capability is improved, but memory access time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata processing capabilityVSAvoidmemory access time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary actions by loading entire tile register pairs into memory before they are needed for computation. The store tile register pair instruction pre-positions tile data in memory at optimized locations, reducing subsequent access latency during matrix operations and enabling better cache utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The tile register pair acts as an intermediary between the processor and main memory, providing a buffer that holds pre-loaded tile data. This intermediary structure reduces the frequency of direct memory accesses during computation by keeping frequently used tile data in faster, intermediate storage locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Speed

If specialized hardware support is added for tile operations, then matrix operation speed is improved, but hardware complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematrix operation speedVSAvoidhardware complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the tile register pair mechanism to serve multiple functions: it stores matrix tiles, manages memory access patterns, provides data buffering, and enables efficient tile-to-tile operations. By making this component multi-functional, the system achieves significant performance improvements without adding separate specialized hardware for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The store tile register pair instruction and associated hardware support provide self-service by automatically managing the complex tasks of tile data retrieval, validation, and positioning. The hardware autonomously handles memory access patterns and data buffering without requiring complex software intervention or additional specialized control logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12293186B2Systems and methods to store a tile register pair to memory
Publication Date: 2025.05.06 INTEL CORP
  • US12293186B2 patent drawing
  • US12293186B2 patent drawing
  • US12293186B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Embodiments detailed herein relate to systems and methods to store a tile register pair to memory. In one example, a processor includes: decode circuitry to decode a store matrix pair instruction having fields for an opcode and source and destination identifiers to identify source and destination matrices, respectively, each matrix having a PAIR parameter equal to TRUE; and execution circuitry to execute the decoded store matrix pair instruction to store every element of left and right tiles of the identified source matrix to corresponding element positions of left and right tiles of the identified destination matrix, respectively, wherein the executing stores a chunk of C elements of one row of the identified source matrix at a time.