Vector Load Store Micro-Operation Masking for Inactive Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing processor architectures face inefficiencies in processing vector load or store micro-operations when mask vectors have inactive elements, leading to unnecessary memory accesses and associated processing overheads.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a mechanism within the load/store unit (LSU) and Baler to determine inactive mask elements in vector load or store micro-operations, allowing these operations to be processed as no-operations, thereby avoiding unnecessary memory accesses and processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the processor processes all vector load or store micro-operations including those with inactive mask elements, then complete instruction execution is maintained, but unnecessary memory accesses and processing overhead occur
Solution Approach 1:
The processor performs partial action by selectively executing only those micro-operations with active mask elements. The mask vector is evaluated to determine which elements require processing, and only the necessary subset of micro-operations is executed while skipping those with inactive mask elements, thereby avoiding unnecessary memory accesses and reducing power consumption
2Productivity
If the processor processes all vector load or store micro-operations including those with inactive mask elements, then complete instruction execution is maintained, but resource availability for other instructions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By performing partial action on only the necessary micro-operations with active mask elements, the processor frees up execution resources earlier than if all micro-operations were processed. This allows other instructions to utilize the freed resources, improving overall throughput and reducing the time resources remain occupied
Solution Approach 2:
The mask vector is evaluated in advance to identify which micro-operations require execution. This preliminary evaluation allows the processor to skip unnecessary operations and free resources earlier, improving resource availability for other instructions without compromising correct execution of required operations
3Loss of energy
If the processor evaluates mask vectors to identify inactive elements, then unnecessary memory accesses are avoided, but additional processing steps are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mask vector serves a dual purpose: it originally identifies which data elements require processing, and simultaneously acts as the evaluation criterion for determining whether to execute micro-operations. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate evaluation logic, as the existing mask infrastructure is leveraged to make execution decisions, thereby avoiding additional processing steps while still enabling selective execution
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for processing of a vector load or store micro-operation with mask information as a no-operation (no-op) when a mask vector for the vector load or store micro-operation has all inactive mask elements or processing vector load or store sub-micro-operation(s) with active mask element(s) are described. An integrated circuit includes a load store unit configured to receive load or store micro-operations cracked from a vector load or store operation, determine that a mask vector for the vector load or store micro-operation is fully inactive, and process the vector load or store micro-operation as a no-operation. If the mask vector is not fully inactive, the vector load or store micro-operation is unrolled into vector load or store sub-micro-operation(s) which have active mask element(s). Vector load or store sub-micro-operation(s) which have inactive mask element(s) are ignored.