Vector Operation Sequencing for Exception-Safe Resumption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing processor technologies inefficiently handle vector operations due to the need to restart entire instructions upon encountering exceptions, leading to waste and inefficiency as completed operations are lost.
Innovation Solution
A micro-operation sequencer within the processor core splits vector operations into micro-operations, saves the last successfully completed micro-operation upon encountering an exception, and resumes execution from the first unexecuted micro-operation after the exception is processed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the processor restarts the entire vector instruction upon encountering an exception, then the exception can be handled, but the already-completed operations are lost and processor efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a vector instruction into multiple micro-operations (micro-ops) that can be executed independently. When an exception occurs during vector instruction execution, only the remaining unexecuted micro-ops need to be restarted, not the entire instruction. This segmentation allows the processor to preserve and reuse already-completed micro-ops, thereby maintaining processor efficiency while still handling exceptions correctly.
2Reliability
If the processor flushes the pipeline upon encountering an exception, then the exception can be handled safely, but power consumption increases and execution time is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the vector instruction into trackable micro-operations, the processor can identify exactly which micro-ops have completed and which remain. This allows selective continuation of execution after an exception without flushing the entire pipeline, thereby reducing power consumption and avoiding unnecessary execution time waste while maintaining exception handling safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor performs preliminary tracking of micro-operation completion status before the exception occurs. This preliminary action enables the processor to quickly determine which micro-ops can be safely reused after an exception, avoiding the need to flush the pipeline and reducing both power consumption and execution time.
3Reliability
If the processor restarts the entire vector instruction upon encountering an exception, then the exception can be handled, but execution time is wasted due to re-executing completed operations
Solution Approach 1:
The vector instruction is segmented into discrete micro-operations with individual completion status tracking. When an exception occurs, the processor identifies which micro-ops have already completed and which remain pending. Only the pending micro-ops are restarted, eliminating the time waste associated with re-executing already-completed operations while ensuring proper exception handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The micro-operation tracking mechanism enables continuous execution by allowing the processor to resume exactly where it left off after an exception. Completed micro-ops are not re-executed, maintaining continuity of useful action and minimizing execution time loss while still handling exceptions correctly.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for vector instruction operation are disclosed. A processor core is accessed. The processor core supports vector operations, the processor core includes an execution pipeline, and the execution pipeline is configured to execute micro-operations. A vector operation is issued, in the processor core. The vector operation necessitates a plurality of execution cycles. The vector operation is split into a series of micro-operations. Execution of the series of micro-operations is initiated. An operation exception is received by the processor core. The operation exception is processed. Execution of the series of micro-operations is completed, based on the timing of the operation exception. The splitting, the initiating, and the completing are performed by a micro-operation sequencer within a decode unit of the processor core. The micro-operation sequencer assigns the series of micro-operations, based on a type of the vector operation.