Virtual Machine Instruction Set Compression for Reduced Hardware Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computing machines require complex instruction sets that lead to inefficiencies due to the large number of instructions needed, which was not adequately addressed by Reduced Instruction Set Code (RISC) machines as higher-level software continued to demand complex operations.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a highly compressed machine pseudo process with a reduced instruction set, represented by four bits, and a strictly managed operation stack that allows for external memory, enabling flexible and complex operations without relying on instruction formats to identify data types, and allowing for multiple address spaces by adding or substituting stack entries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a complex instruction set is used to support high-level software operations, then programming flexibility and operational capability are improved, but the number of instructions and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a virtual machine architecture that copies high-level programming concepts into a simplified instruction set. The virtual machine interpreter translates complex high-level operations into a reduced set of virtual instructions, allowing software flexibility without increasing physical hardware complexity. This copying approach enables complex operations through software emulation rather than hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of instruction representation by using variable-length encoding and dynamic instruction formats. Instead of fixed-length instructions, the system uses parameterized instruction sets where the number of bits and instruction structure can change based on the operation being performed. This allows a reduced instruction set to represent complex operations through parameter variation rather than requiring separate instructions for each operation type.
2Use of energy by moving object
If RISC machines reduced the number of instructions to improve electrical efficiency, then energy consumption and circuit complexity are reduced, but software complexity requirements caused the approach to fail
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual machine architecture copies high-level software operations into a simplified instruction set representation. By implementing a virtual machine interpreter, the system translates complex software operations into a reduced set of virtual instructions, maintaining electrical efficiency while satisfying software complexity requirements through software-based translation rather than hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual machine acts as an intermediary between high-level programming languages and the physical hardware. It provides a translation layer that converts complex high-level operations into simplified virtual instructions, which then execute on the hardware with reduced instruction set. This intermediary approach decouples software complexity from hardware complexity, allowing energy-efficient execution.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a reduced instruction set is implemented to compress machine code, then portability and code size are improved, but the complexity of managing operations and data types increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a virtual machine that copies high-level data types and operations into the virtual instruction set. Each virtual instruction can represent complex operations by copying the semantics of high-level language constructs. This allows a reduced instruction set to maintain portability while managing complexity through virtual machine interpretation rather than hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a dimensional layer by implementing variable-length instruction encoding and dynamic instruction formats. Instead of using a fixed instruction set, the system uses a multi-dimensional instruction representation where the number of bits, instruction structure, and encoding schemes can vary based on the operation. This dimensional flexibility allows a reduced instruction set to represent complex operations without increasing physical complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for controlling machine operations are provided. A number of data entries are organized into a stack. Each data entry includes a type, a flag, a length, and a value or pointer entry. For each data entry in the stack, the type of data is determined from the type entry, the presence of an address or value is determined by the respective flag entry, and a length of the address or value is determined from the respective length entry. The data to be utilized or an address for the same at a particular electronic storage area is provided at the respective value or pointer entry, which may be specified by a space definition pushed onto the stack.