Vector Splice Instruction for Flexible Data Element Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data processing systems lack an efficient and flexible method to perform splice operations, which involve extracting consecutive data elements from one vector and combining them with elements from another vector, without relying on vector length information.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing vector registers and control registers, where a splice instruction identifies data elements in a vector register and control data in a control register to extract and combine elements, allowing for flexible selection of data elements independently of vector length, using predicate or scalar registers to specify extraction positions and lengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional splice operations are performed using conventional data processing methods, then the operation can be completed, but the process requires multiple instructions and complex index management that reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple traditional instructions (move, extract, insert) into a single splice instruction that performs all operations atomically. This merging of operations eliminates the need for multiple separate instructions and reduces the complexity of index management, directly improving splice operation efficiency while maintaining data integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The splice instruction is designed as a universal operation that can handle various data element selections within a vector using control data. This multi-functional instruction can extract any sequence of consecutive data elements and insert them at any position, replacing multiple specialized instructions and simplifying the overall instruction set complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If vector length information is used to identify data elements for extraction, then the extraction can be performed, but the method lacks flexibility when operating on vectors of different lengths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter used for identifying data elements from absolute vector indices (which depend on vector length) to control data that specifies relative positions and counts. This parameter change allows the same splice instruction to work correctly on vectors of any length, improving adaptability while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive control specifications.
3Reliability
If multiple instructions are used to perform splice operations, then the operations can be completed with proper error handling, but the process time increases and performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The splice instruction performs preliminary validation of control data parameters (such as checking if the specified data elements are within valid ranges) as part of the single atomic operation. This preliminary action within the unified instruction ensures data integrity and reliability while avoiding the time loss associated with multiple separate validation steps and error handling routines.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and a method are provided for performing a splice operation, the apparatus having a set of vector registers and one or more control registers. Processing circuitry is arranged to execute a sequence of instructions including a splice instruction that identifies at least a first vector register and at least one control register. The first vector register stores a first vector of data elements having a vector length, and the at least one control register stores control data identifying, independently of the vector length, one or more data elements occupying sequential data element positions within the first vector of data elements. The processing circuitry is responsive to execution of the splice instruction to extract from the first vector each data element identified by the control data in the at least one control register, and to output the extracted data elements within a result vector of data elements that also contains data elements from a second vector. Since the control data in the at least one control register identifies the data elements to be extracted without reference to the vector length, this provides a great deal of flexibility as to how the data elements to be extracted may be selected within the first vector.