Trace Unit Sequence Builder Circuit for Instruction Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current processor sequencing techniques fail to meet the demands of advanced processors for improved performance and reduced power consumption, particularly in portable devices, while maintaining backward compatibility with x86 instruction code.
Innovation Solution
A trace unit is introduced that includes a sequence builder circuit to optimize sequences of operations, generating improved sequences by combining basic block and multi-block traces, and utilizing a cache system to reduce the workload of the execution unit and enhance instruction execution throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If current processor sequencing techniques are used, then backward compatibility with x86 instruction code is maintained, but performance and power consumption requirements for advanced processors are not met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments instructions into basic blocks and multi-block traces, allowing the sequence builder to process and optimize sequences in manageable units. This segmentation enables the generation of efficient operation sequences while maintaining compatibility with x86 instruction code through systematic decomposition and重组 of instruction sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The sequence builder circuit acts as an intermediary between the instruction fetch unit and the execution unit, translating and optimizing instruction sequences into efficient operation sequences. This intermediary component resolves the contradiction by providing a layer of abstraction that maintains x86 compatibility while enabling advanced sequencing techniques for improved performance.
2Productivity
If a trace unit with sequence builder is introduced to optimize operation sequences, then instruction execution throughput is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the basic block builder and multi-block builder into a unified sequence builder circuit that handles both simple and complex trace construction. This merging reduces the overall structural complexity compared to having separate dedicated circuits, while still achieving enhanced instruction execution throughput through optimized sequence generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sequence builder circuit is designed as a universal component that can generate various types of operation sequences (basic block traces, multi-block traces, atomic traces) through a single integrated architecture. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for multiple specialized sequencing circuits while maintaining high productivity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If trace caching is implemented to reduce execution unit workload, then power consumption is reduced, but memory management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The trace cache stores pre-generated and optimized operation sequences, allowing the execution unit to retrieve ready-to-execute traces rather than generating them on-demand. This preliminary action reduces the computational workload and power consumption of the execution unit while the cache management complexity is contained within the trace unit's dedicated memory management logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The trace cache creates copies of optimized operation sequences that can be rapidly retrieved and executed. By caching trace copies rather than regenerating them, the system significantly reduces power consumption during execution while the copying and management of these traces is handled by the specialized trace unit architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
An instruction processing unit includes a trace builder circuit operable to (i) receive at least a portion of a first type of sequence of operations and to generate, based thereon, a second type of sequence of operations, where the portion includes at most one control transfer instruction that, when present, ends the portion, (ii) receive sets of at least two sequences of operations and to generate, based thereon, a plurality of third type of sequences of operations, where a sequence of operations of the third type includes one or more interior control transfer instructions and is generated from the sequence of operations of the second type and another sequence of operations of the third type, and (iii) retrieve the sequence of operations of the second type and the another sequence of operations of the third type from a cache circuit.