VSHPOP Instruction for Loop Data Dependency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current computer processor architectures lack instructions that simplify the processing of loops with cross-iterations data dependency, such as the factorial loop, which are common in high-performance computing.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a VSHP{OP} instruction that shuffles data elements and performs operations on them, allowing for efficient execution of loops with data dependency by using a destination vector register, source vector registers, an immediate value, and an opcode to shuffle and operate on data elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional processor instructions are used to process loops with cross-iterations data dependency, then the processing can be performed, but the execution efficiency is low and the instruction complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the shuffle operation and the arithmetic operation into a single VSHP{OP} instruction. This merged instruction performs both the data reordering (shuffle) and the computational operation (add, subtract, multiply, divide, etc.) in one execution step, thereby improving loop processing efficiency while reducing the number of instructions that need to be executed.
Solution Approach 2:
The VSHP{OP} instruction is designed as a universal instruction that can handle multiple operations. The opcode field allows selection of different arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fused multiply-add, etc.), and the shuffle amount can be dynamically specified. This multi-functional design reduces instruction complexity by replacing multiple specialized instructions with one versatile instruction.
2Productivity
If multiple separate instructions are used to shuffle and operate on data elements, then the operations can be completed, but the number of instructions increases and execution time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the shuffle instruction and the arithmetic instruction into a single VSHP{OP} instruction. Instead of executing a shuffle instruction followed by an arithmetic instruction (two separate execution steps), the combined instruction performs both operations in one execution cycle, thereby reducing instruction execution time and improving data processing speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The shuffle operation is performed as a preliminary action within the same instruction that performs the arithmetic operation. The data elements are shuffled (reordered) and immediately operated upon without requiring a separate instruction fetch and execution cycle, thus eliminating the time loss associated with sequential instruction execution.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of systems, apparatuses, and methods for performing in a computer processor a data element shuffle and an operation on the shuffled data elements in response to a single data element shuffle and an operation instruction that includes a destination vector register operand, a first and second source vector register operands, an immediate value, and an opcode are described.