Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F9/00—Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units
  • G06F9/06—Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units using stored programs, i.e. using an internal store of processing equipment to receive or retain programs
  • G06F9/30—Arrangements for executing machine instructions, e.g. instruction decode
  • G06F9/30003—Arrangements for executing specific machine instructions
  • G06F9/30007—Arrangements for executing specific machine instructions to perform operations on data operands
  • G06F9/30021—Compare instructions, e.g. Greater-Than, Equal-To, MINMAX
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F9/00—Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units
  • G06F9/06—Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units using stored programs, i.e. using an internal store of processing equipment to receive or retain programs
  • G06F9/30—Arrangements for executing machine instructions, e.g. instruction decode
  • G06F9/30003—Arrangements for executing specific machine instructions
  • G06F9/30007—Arrangements for executing specific machine instructions to perform operations on data operands
  • G06F9/30032—Movement instructions, e.g. MOVE, SHIFT, ROTATE, SHUFFLE
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F9/00—Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units
  • G06F9/06—Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units using stored programs, i.e. using an internal store of processing equipment to receive or retain programs
  • G06F9/30—Arrangements for executing machine instructions, e.g. instruction decode
  • G06F9/30003—Arrangements for executing specific machine instructions
  • G06F9/30007—Arrangements for executing specific machine instructions to perform operations on data operands
  • G06F9/30036—Instructions to perform operations on packed data, e.g. vector, tile or matrix operations
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F9/00—Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units
  • G06F9/06—Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units using stored programs, i.e. using an internal store of processing equipment to receive or retain programs
  • G06F9/30—Arrangements for executing machine instructions, e.g. instruction decode
  • G06F9/30003—Arrangements for executing specific machine instructions
  • G06F9/3004—Arrangements for executing specific machine instructions to perform operations on memory
  • G06F9/30043—LOAD or STORE instructions; Clear instruction
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F9/00—Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units
  • G06F9/06—Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units using stored programs, i.e. using an internal store of processing equipment to receive or retain programs
  • G06F9/30—Arrangements for executing machine instructions, e.g. instruction decode
  • G06F9/38—Concurrent instruction execution, e.g. pipeline or look ahead
  • G06F9/3836—Instruction issuing, e.g. dynamic instruction scheduling or out of order instruction execution
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F9/00—Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units
  • G06F9/06—Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units using stored programs, i.e. using an internal store of processing equipment to receive or retain programs
  • G06F9/30—Arrangements for executing machine instructions, e.g. instruction decode
  • G06F9/38—Concurrent instruction execution, e.g. pipeline or look ahead
  • G06F9/3885—Concurrent instruction execution, e.g. pipeline or look ahead using a plurality of independent parallel functional units
  • G06F9/3887—Concurrent instruction execution, e.g. pipeline or look ahead using a plurality of independent parallel functional units controlled by a single instruction for multiple data lanes [SIMD]
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
  • H03M—CODING; DECODING; CODE CONVERSION IN GENERAL
  • H03M7/00—Conversion of a code where information is represented by a given sequence or number of digits to a code where the same, similar or subset of information is represented by a different sequence or number of digits
  • H03M7/30—Compression; Expansion; Suppression of unnecessary data, e.g. redundancy reduction
  • H03M7/60—General implementation details not specific to a particular type of compression
  • H03M7/6011—Encoder aspects
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
  • H03M—CODING; DECODING; CODE CONVERSION IN GENERAL
  • H03M7/00—Conversion of a code where information is represented by a given sequence or number of digits to a code where the same, similar or subset of information is represented by a different sequence or number of digits
  • H03M7/30—Compression; Expansion; Suppression of unnecessary data, e.g. redundancy reduction
  • H03M7/60—General implementation details not specific to a particular type of compression
  • H03M7/6017—Methods or arrangements to increase the throughput
  • H03M7/6023—Parallelization

Definitions

• the present disclosure is generally related to data storage. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
• computing devices such as laptop and desktop computers and servers, as well as wireless computing devices such as portable wireless telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and paging devices, have improved computing capabilities and are able to perform increasingly complex operations.
• Increased computing capabilities have also enhanced device capabilities in various other applications.
• vehicles may include processing devices to enable global positioning system operations or other location operations, self-driving operations, interactive communication and entertainment operations, etc.
• Other examples include household appliances, security cameras, metering equipment, etc., that also incorporate computing devices to enable enhanced functionality, such as communication using the intemet-of-things .
• a computing device may include a processor that is operable to process one or more sparse data vectors.
• a "sparse data vector” is a vector of data that includes data elements having invalid data (e.g., "don't care” data values, default data values, null data values, or zero data values) and data elements having valid data (e.g., data values "of interest"). Invalid data in a data vector leads to inefficient computation and storage. For example, because sparse data vectors include data elements having invalid data items that do not have to be processed, components (e.g., hardware) included in the processor may be inefficiently used by processing the invalid data.
• One technique for improving hardware usage efficiency includes compressing a sparse data vector within a processing pipeline of the processor to generate a compressed data vector.
• the processor may shift data (within the processing pipeline of the processor) such that data elements having valid data are adjacent to one another and data elements having invalid data are adjacent to one another.
• generating compressed data vectors within the processing pipeline may result in a relatively large number of data vectors with complex addressing schemes. Additionally, generating compressed data vectors within the processing pipeline may result in increased hardware costs.
• a method includes, at a single-instruction-multiple-data (SIMD) processor, executing a parallel- prefix valid count instruction to determine a first offset associated with a first valid position in a sequence of data elements that includes valid data and invalid data. Executing the parallel-prefix valid count instruction also causes the SIMD processor to determine a second offset associated with a second valid position in the sequence of data elements. The second offset is based on the first offset and a number of positions in the sequence of data elements that are associated with valid data.
• SIMD single-instruction-multiple-data
• an apparatus includes a memory and a single-instruction-multiple-data (SIMD) configured to execute a parallel-prefix valid count instruction. Executing the parallel- prefix valid count instruction enables the SIMD processor to determine a first offset associated with a first valid position in a sequence of data elements that includes valid data and invalid data and determine a second offset associated with a second valid position in the sequence of data elements. The second offset is based on the first offset and a number of positions in the sequence of data elements that are associated with valid data.
• SIMD single-instruction-multiple-data
• a non-transitory computer-readable medium includes at least one instruction that, when executed by single-instruction-multiple-data (SIMD) processor, causes the SIMD processor to perform operations including determining, by execution of a parallel- prefix valid count instruction, a first offset associated with a first valid position in a sequence of data elements that includes valid data and invalid data. The operations also include determining, by execution of the parallel-prefix valid count instruction, a second offset associated with a second valid position in the sequence of data elements. The second offset is based on the first offset and a number of positions in the sequence of data elements that are associated with valid data.
• SIMD single-instruction-multiple-data
• an apparatus includes means for determining a first offset associated with a first valid position in a sequence of data elements that includes valid data and invalid data.
• the apparatus also includes means for determining a second offset associated with a second valid position in the sequence of data elements. The second offset is based on the first offset and a number of positions in the sequence of data elements that are associated with valid data.
• FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system that is operable to store data at contiguous memory addresses
• FIG. 2 illustrates sparse data vectors that include valid data and invalid data
• FIG. 3 illustrates a compressed memory data vector
• FIG. 4 illustrates a chart for identifying an offset of valid data values in a compressed memory data vector
• FIG. 5 illustrates a method for storing data at contiguous memory addresses
• FIG. 6 is a diagram of an electronic device that includes components operable to store data at contiguous memory addresses.
• a system 100 that is operable to store data at contiguous memory addresses is shown.
• the system 100 may be implemented within a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), an entertainment unit, a navigation device, a music player, a video player, a digital video player, a digital video disc (DVD) player, or any other device.
• PDA personal digital assistant
• entertainment unit an entertainment unit
• navigation device a music player, a video player, a digital video player, a digital video disc (DVD) player, or any other device.
• DVD digital video disc
• the system 100 includes a memory 102 that is coupled to a processor 104.
• the processor 104 may include a single-instruction- multiple-data (SIMD) processor.
• SIMD single-instruction- multiple-data
• the memory 102 may be a non-transitory computer- readable medium that includes instructions that are executable by the processor 104.
• the memory 102 includes a scatter instruction 106 that is executable by the processor 104 and a parallel-prefix valid count instruction 108 that is executable by the processor 104.
• the memory 102 also includes a compressed memory data vector 110. As described below, valid data (as opposed to invalid data) from different sparse data vectors may be stored at the compressed memory data vector 110 to generate a "compressed data vector" in the memory 102.
• the compressed memory data vector 110 includes a plurality of contiguous memory addresses.
• the compressed memory data vector 110 includes a first memory address 111, a second memory address 112 that is contiguous to the first memory address 111, a third memory address 113 that is contiguous to the second memory address 112, a fourth memory address 114 that is contiguous to the third memory address 113, a fifth memory address 115 that is contiguous to the fourth memory address 114, a sixth memory address 116 that is contiguous to the fifth memory address 115, a seventh memory address 117 that is contiguous to the sixth memory address 116, an eighth memory address 118 that is contiguous to the seventh memory address 117, a ninth memory address 119 that is contiguous to the eighth memory address 118, a tenth memory address 120 that is contiguous to the ninth memory address 119, etc.
• the compressed memory data vector 1 10 includes sixteen memory addresses.
• the compressed memory data vector 110 includes a sixteenth memory address 122 that is contiguous to a fifteenth memory address (not shown).
• the compressed memory data vector 1 10 may include additional (or fewer) contiguous memory addresses.
• the compressed memory data vector 1 10 may include thirty -two contiguous memory addresses.
• the processor 104 includes one or more registers 130, memory storage circuitry 140, fetch circuitry 150, and a SIMD processing pipeline 152. Although the one or more registers 130 are shown to be included in the processor 104, in other implementations, the one or more registers 130 may be separate from (and accessible to) the processor 104. In other implementations, the processor 104 may include additional (or fewer) components. As a non-limiting example, in other
• the processor 104 may also include one or more arithmetic logic units (ALUs), one or more application-specific execution units, etc.
• ALUs arithmetic logic units
• the processor 104 is shown to include the memory storage circuitry 140, the fetch circuitry 150, and the SIMD processing pipeline 152, in other implementations, operations of each component 140, 150, 152 may be performed by a single processing component.
• the one or more registers 130 may store a first data vector 132, a second data vector 134, and a third data vector 136.
• a "sequence of data elements" may include the data elements stored in the data vectors 132, 134, 136.
• three data vectors 132, 134, 136 are shown to be included in the one or more registers 130, in other implementations, the one or more registers 130 may include additional (or fewer) data vectors.
• Each data vector 132, 134, 136 may be a "sparse data vector” or a "sparse data array.”
• each data vector 132, 134, 136 may include valid data (e.g., data values of interest) and invalid data (e.g., "don't care" data values, default data values, or zero data values).
• the data vectors 132, 134, 136 may be stored in the memory 102 (as opposed to being stored in the one or more registers 130). [0022] Referring to FIG. 2, the data vectors 132, 134, 136 are shown in greater detail.
• Each data vector 132, 134, 136 includes eight positions (e.g., "Position 0" to "Position 7"). According to one implementation, each position may correspond to an "array position". Although each data vector 132, 134, 136 is shown to include eight positions, in other implementations, each data vector 132, 134, 136 may include additional (or fewer) positions. As a non-limiting example, each data vector 132, 134, 136 may include sixteen positions. According to another implementation, different data vectors may include a different number of positions. As a non-limiting example, one data vector may include eight positions and another data vector may include sixteen positions.
• the first data vector 132 includes three valid data values and five invalid data values.
• “Position 1 " of the first data vector 132 stores valid data value "A”
• "Position 3" of the first data vector 132 stores valid data value "B”
• "Position 6" of the first data vector 132 stores valid data value "C”.
• the other positions of the first data vector 132 store invalid data values.
• the second data vector 134 also includes three valid data values and five invalid data values.
• the third data vector 136 includes four valid data values and four invalid data values.
• “Position 0" of the third data vector 136 stores valid data value "G”
• "Position 4" of the third data vector 136 stores valid data value ⁇
• "Position 5" of the third data vector 136 stores valid data value "I”
• "Position 7" of the third data vector 136 stores valid data value "J”.
• the other positions of the third data vector 136 store invalid data values.
• the memory storage circuitry 140 includes data vector analysis circuitry 142, write circuitry 144, and offset determination circuitry 146.
• the data vector analysis circuitry 142 may be configured to determine whether the first data vector 132 includes positions having valid data. For example, the data vector analysis circuitry 142 may determine that valid data value "A" is located at "Position 1" of the first data vector 132 (e.g., the first sequential position having valid data).
• the write circuitry 144 may be configured to write (e.g., store) valid data values (in parallel) at the contiguous memory addresses of the compressed memory data vector 110.
• the memory storage circuitry 140 may enable the write circuitry 144.
• the write circuitry 144 may store valid data value "A" at the first memory address 111 in response to being enabled.
• the write circuitry 144 may execute the scatter instruction 106 (e.g., a vector store instruction) to store valid data value "A" at the first memory address 111.
• the data vector analysis circuity 142 may determine whether the first data vector 132 includes another position having valid data. For example, the data vector analysis circuitry 142 may determine that valid data value "B" is located at "Position 3" of the first data vector 132 (e.g., the next sequential position having valid data). In response to a determination that valid data value "B" is located at "Position 3" of the first data vector 132, the memory storage circuitry 140 may enable the write circuitry 144. The write circuitry 144 may store valid data value "B" at the second memory address 112 (e.g., a contiguous memory address of the first memory address 111) in response to being enabled. For example, the write circuitry 144 may execute the scatter instruction 106 to store valid data value "B" at the second memory address 112.
• the second memory address 112 e.g., a contiguous memory address of the first memory address 112
• the data vector analysis circuity 142 may determine whether the first data vector 132 includes another position having valid data. For example, the data vector analysis circuitry 142 may determine that valid data value "C" is located at "Position 6" of the first data vector 132 (e.g., the next sequential position having valid data). In response to a determination that valid data value "C" is located at "Position 6" of the first data vector 132, the memory storage circuitry 140 may enable the write circuitry 144. The write circuitry 144 may store valid data value "C" at the third memory address 113 (e.g., a contiguous memory address of the second memory address 112) in response to being enabled.
• the third memory address 113 e.g., a contiguous memory address of the second memory address 112
• the write circuitry 144 may execute the scatter instruction 106 to store valid data value "C" at the third memory address 113.
• the invalid data values of the first data vector 132 may be bypassed and the valid data values of the first data vector 132 may be stored at contiguous memory addresses in the memory 102.
• the data vector analysis circuity 142 may determine whether the first data vector 132 includes another position having valid data. In response to a determination that the first data vector 132 does not include another position having valid data, the data vector analysis circuitry 142 may determine whether the second data vector 134 includes a position having valid data. For example, the data vector analysis circuitry 142 may determine that valid data value "D" is located at "Position 2" of the second data vector 134 (e.g., the first sequential position having valid data). In response to a determination that valid data value "D" is located at "Position 2" of the second data vector 134, the memory storage circuitry 140 may enable the write circuitry 144.
• the write circuitry 144 may store valid data value "D" at the fourth memory address 1 14 (e.g., a contiguous memory address of the third memory address 113) in response to being enabled. For example, the write circuitry 144 may execute the scatter instruction 106 to store valid data value "D" at the fourth memory address 114.
• the data vector analysis circuity 142 may determine whether the second data vector 134 includes another position having valid data. For example, the data vector analysis circuitry 142 may determine that valid data value "E" is located at "Position 3" of the second data vector 134 (e.g., the next sequential position having valid data). In response to a determination that valid data value "E” is located at "Position 3" of the second data vector 134, the memory storage circuitry 140 may enable the write circuitry 144. The write circuitry 144 may store valid data value "E" at the fifth memory address 1 15 (e.g., a contiguous memory address of the fourth memory address 114) in response to being enabled.
• the write circuitry 144 may store valid data value "E" at the fifth memory address 1 15 (e.g., a contiguous memory address of the fourth memory address 114) in response to being enabled.
• the write circuitry 144 may execute the scatter instruction 106 to store valid data value "E" at the fifth memory address 115.
• the data vector analysis circuity 142 may determine whether the second data vector 134 includes another position having valid data. For example, the data vector analysis circuitry 142 may determine that valid data value "F" is located at "Position 6" of the second data vector 134 (e.g., the next sequential position having valid data). In response to a determination that valid data value "F" is located at "Position 6" of the second data vector 134, the memory storage circuitry 140 may enable the write circuitry 144.
• the write circuitry 144 may store valid data value "F" at the sixth memory address 1 16 (e.g., a contiguous memory address of the fifth memory address 1 15) in response to being enabled. For example, the write circuitry 144 may execute the scatter instruction 106 to store valid data value "F" at the sixth memory address 1 16. Thus, the invalid data values of the second data vector 134 may be bypassed and the valid data values of the second data vector 134 may be stored at contiguous memory addresses in the memory 102.
• the data vector analysis circuity 142 may determine whether the second data vector 134 includes another position having valid data. In response to a determination that the second data vector 134 does not include another position having valid data, the data vector analysis circuitry 142 may determine whether the third data vector 136 includes a position having valid data. For example, the data vector analysis circuitry 142 may determine that valid data value "G" is located at "Position 1" of the third data vector 136 (e.g., the first sequential position having valid data). In response to a determination that valid data value "G" is located at "Position 1 " of the third data vector 136, the memory storage circuitry 140 may enable the write circuitry 144.
• the write circuitry 144 may store valid data value "G" at the seventh memory address 117 (e.g., a contiguous memory address of the sixth memory address 1 16) in response to being enabled. For example, the write circuitry 144 may execute the scatter instruction 106 to store valid data value "G" at the seventh memory address 117.
• the data vector analysis circuity 142 may determine whether the third data vector 136 includes another position having valid data. For example, the data vector analysis circuitry 142 may determine that valid data value ⁇ " is located at "Position 4" of the third data vector 136 (e.g., the next sequential position having valid data). In response to a determination that valid data value ⁇ " is located at "Position 4" of the third data vector 136, the memory storage circuitry 140 may enable the write circuitry 144. The write circuitry 144 may store valid data value ⁇ " at the eighth memory address 118 (e.g., a contiguous memory address of the seventh memory address 1 17) in response to being enabled. For example, the write circuitry 144 may execute the scatter instruction 106 to store valid data value ⁇ " at the eighth memory address 1 18.
• the eighth memory address 118 e.g., a contiguous memory address of the seventh memory address 1 17
• the data vector analysis circuity 142 may determine whether the third data vector 136 includes another position having valid data. For example, the data vector analysis circuitry 142 may determine that valid data value "I" is located at "Position 5" of the third data vector 136 (e.g., the next sequential position having valid data). In response to a determination that valid data value "I" is located at "Position 5" of the third data vector 136, the memory storage circuitry 140 may enable the write circuitry 144. The write circuitry 144 may store valid data value "I" at the ninth memory address 1 19 (e.g., a contiguous memory address of the eighth memory address 1 18) in response to being enabled. For example, the write circuitry 144 may execute the scatter instruction 106 to store valid data value "I" at the ninth memory address 1 19.
• the ninth memory address 1 19 e.g., a contiguous memory address of the eighth memory address 1 18
• the data vector analysis circuity 142 may determine whether the third data vector 136 includes another position having valid data. For example, the data vector analysis circuitry 142 may determine that valid data value "J" is located at "Position 7" of the third data vector 136 (e.g., the next sequential position having valid data). In response to a determination that valid data value "J" is located at "Position 7" of the third data vector 136, the memory storage circuitry 140 may enable the write circuitry 144. The write circuitry 144 may store valid data value "J" at the tenth memory address 120 (e.g., a contiguous memory address of the ninth memory address 1 19) in response to being enabled.
• the write circuitry 144 may store valid data value "J" at the tenth memory address 120 (e.g., a contiguous memory address of the ninth memory address 1 19) in response to being enabled.
• the write circuitry 144 may execute the scatter instruction 106 to store valid data value "J" at the tenth memory address 120.
• the invalid data values of the third data vector 136 may be bypassed and the valid data values of the third data vector 136 may be stored at contiguous memory addresses in the memory 102.
• Similar operations may be performed to store additional valid data values to the compressed memory data vector 110 of the memory 102.
• the compressed memory data vector 110 is shown after completion of the store operations described above.
• Each valid data value of the data vectors 132, 134, 136 may be stored at contiguous memory addresses of the compressed memory data vector 1 10.
• invalid data may be separated from the sparse data vectors 132, 134, 136 to generate the compressed memory data vector 1 10 having valid data at each memory address.
• the processor 150 may fetch the compressed memory data vector 1 10 from the memory 102 to process valid data as opposed to processing valid data and invalid data, which may result in inefficient use of the processor 104.
• the offset determination circuitry 146 may be configured to determine (e.g., count) an offset for each data vector 132, 134, 136 with respect to the compressed memory data vector 1 10. For example, the offset determination circuitry 146 may determine a count (e.g., a parallel-prefix valid count) of write enables for each data vector 132, 134, 136. The offset for each data vector 132, 134, 136 may be based on the parallel-prefix valid count.
• the "offset" for a particular data vector is the first sequential memory address of the compressed memory data vector 110 where valid data associated with the particular data vector is stored.
• the offset determination circuity 146 may generate multiple offsets 160 corresponding to the data vectors 132-136, including a first offset 162 of the first data vector 132, a second offset 164 of the second data vector 134, and a third offset 166 of the third data vector 136. For example, as described further with reference to FIG.
• the first offset 162 may have a value of "1 " to indicate that valid data of the first data vector 132 begins at the first memory address 1 11 of the compressed memory data vector 1 10
• the second offset 164 may have a value of "4" to indicate that valid data of the second data vector 134 begins at the fourth memory address 1 14
• the third offset 166 may have a value of "7" to indicate that the valid data of the third data vector 136 begins at the seventh memory address 117 of the of the compressed memory data vector 110.
• the processor 104 may execute the parallel -prefix valid count instruction 108 to determine the offset.
• FIG. 4 a chart 400 for identifying the offset for each data vector 132, 134, 136 is shown in FIG. 4.
• memory address "0" may be used as the base address for the first data vector 132.
• a parallel prefix count of the first data vector 132 may increase (from zero to one) in response to an enable (e.g., a write enable) associated with storing valid data value "A" at the compressed memory data vector 1 10.
• an enable e.g., a write enable
• the memory address also increases.
• the memory address increases from memory address "0" to memory address "1 " (e.g., the first memory address 11 1).
• the offset 162 for the first data vector 132 with respect to the compressed memory data vector 110 is the first memory address 1 11 and may be stored as having an offset value of "1 " to indicate the first memory address 11 1.
• the offset 162 may be stored having another offset value that indicates the first memory address 11 1, such as an offset value of "0" in a zero-based indexing implementation.
• the parallel prefix count may increase (from one to two) in response to an enable associated with storing valid data value "B" at the second memory address 1 12 of the compressed memory data vector 1 10.
• the parallel prefix count may also increase (from two to three) in response to an enable associated with storing valid data value "C” at the third memory address 1 13 of compressed memory data vector 1 10.
• the address of the last valid data value stored may be used as the based for a new data vector. Because memory address "3" (e.g., the third memory address 113) is the address of the last data value (e.g., valid data value "C") stored, the third memory address 1 13 may be used as the base for the second data vector 134.
• the corresponding memory address may be the offset 164 for the second data vector 134.
• the offset 164 for the second data vector 134 with respect to the compressed memory data vector 110 is the fourth memory address 114 and may be represented as having an offset value of "4" (or "3" in a zero-based indexing implementation).
• the offset 166 for the third data vector 136 with respect to the compressed memory data vector 1 10 is the seventh memory address 117 and may be represented as having an offset value of "7" (or "6" in a zero-based indexing implementation).
• the offsets may be used to map data in the memory 102 to the data vectors 132, 134, 136.
• the processor 104 may determine that the first, second, and third memory addresses 11 1, 112, 113 include data associated with the first data vector 132 if the offset 162 of the first data vector 132 is the first memory address 1 11 and the offset 164 of the second data vector 134 is the fourth memory address 114.
• the processor 104 may determine that the fourth, fifth, and sixth memory addresses 114, 1 15, 1 16 include data associated with the second data vector 134 if the offset 164 of the second data vector 134 is the fourth memory address 114 and the offset 166 of the third data vector 136 is the seventh memory address 117.
• the fetch circuity 150 may be configured to fetch the data stored in the compressed memory data vector 110.
• the fetch circuitry 150 may provide the compressed memory data vector 110 to the SIMD processing pipeline 152. Because each memory address of the compressed memory data vector 1 10 includes valid data values, the processing components and hardware in the SIMD processing pipeline 152 may be efficiently used. For example, processing components in the SIMD processing pipeline 152 may be used on valid data values as opposed to being used for invalid data values.
• the techniques described with respect to FIGS. 1-4 may improve processing efficiency by reducing the amount of invalid data values that are processed by the SIMD processing pipeline 152.
• the fetch circuitry 150 may provide valid data values (as opposed to valid and invalid data values) to the SIMD processing pipeline 152.
• a relatively simple addressing scheme may be achieved by tracking the parallel-prefix valid count for each data vector 132, 134, 136 during the storage process. For example, the processor 104 may identify which data values and/or memory addresses correspond to each data vector 132, 134, 136 based on the parallel-prefix valid count.
• the parallel -prefix valid count instruction 108 may be used during compression of sparse data from the multiple data vectors 132-136 to a dense data arrangement in the compressed memory data vector 1 10.
• the parallel-prefix valid count instruction 108 may be used during decompression of the data from the compressed memory data vector 1 10 to a sparse data arrangement in the data vectors 132-136.
• the data in the compressed memory data vector 110 may be processed by the SIMD processing pipeline 152 to generate modified data in the compressed memory data vector 110.
• the modified data may be written back to the corresponding positions of the data vectors 132-136 to overwrite the original valid data with the modified data.
• a contiguous offset or address for each valid position in the data vectors 132-136 may be computed using the parallel-prefix valid count instruction 108 with accumulation from the last count of the prior vector, as described in FIG. 4.
• a load/gather may be performed to load the data from each address or offset in the compressed memory data vector 110 into the valid data positions of the data vectors 132-136 based on the results of the parallel-prefix valid count instruction 108.
• the parallel-prefix valid count instruction 108 may be used during data compression operations and also during data decompression operations.
• FIG. 5 a flowchart of a method 500 for storing data at contiguous memory addresses is shown.
• the method 500 may be performed using the system 100 of FIG. 1.
• the method 500 includes determining, by execution of a parallel-prefix valid count instruction, a first offset associated with a first valid position in a sequence of data elements that includes valid data and invalid data, at 502. For example, referring to FIG. 1, the SIMD processor 104 may execute the parallel-prefix valid count instruction 108 to determine the first offset 162 of the first data vector 132. [0044] The method 500 also includes determining, by execution of the parallel -prefix valid count instruction, a second offset associated with a second valid position in the sequence of data elements, at 504. The second offset may be based on the first offset and a number of positions in the sequence of data elements that are associated with valid data. For example, referring to FIG.
• the SIMD processor 104 may execute the parallel-prefix valid count instruction 108 to determine the second offset 164 of the second data vector 134.
• the second offset may be computed by adding the number of positions in the first data vector 132 that are associated with valid data to the first offset 162.
• the method 500 also includes storing first valid data from the first data vector at a first memory address of a memory, at 506.
• the first memory address may be based on the first offset. For example, referring to FIG. 1 , in response to a determination that valid data value "A" is located at "Position 1 " of the first data vector 132, the memory storage circuitry 140 may enable the write circuitry 144.
• the write circuitry 144 may store valid data value "A" at the first memory address 11 1 in response to being enabled. For example, the write circuitry 144 may execute the scatter instruction 106 to store valid data value "A" at the first memory address 11 1.
• the method 500 also includes storing second valid data from the second data vector at a particular memory address of the memory, at 508.
• the particular memory address may be based on the second offset.
• the memory storage circuitry 140 may enable the write circuitry 144.
• the write circuitry 144 may store valid data value "D" at the fourth memory address 1 14 (e.g., the "second memory address” according to the method 500) in response to being enabled.
• the write circuitry 144 may execute the scatter instruction 106 to store valid data value "D" at the fourth memory address 1 14.
• the method 500 may include storing additional valid data from the first data vector at additional sequential memory addresses that are contiguous to the first memory address of the memory.
• the particular memory address (where the second valid data is stored) may be contiguous to a last memory address of the additional sequential memory address.
• the first valid data and the second valid data may be stored in parallel. For example, storing the second valid data in parallel with the first valid data includes storing the first valid data during a first time period (e.g., during a single clock cycle of the SIMD processor 104) and concurrently storing the second valid data during the first time period.
• the first memory address and the particular memory address may be memory addresses of a compressed memory data vector (e.g., the compressed memory data vector 1 10).
• the method 500 may also include fetching data stored at the compressed memory data vector and processing the data stored at the compressed memory data vector in response to fetching the data stored at the compressed memory data vector.
• a "decompression" operation may be performed after processing the data stored at the compressed memory data vector.
• the parallel-prefix valid count instruction may be executed to determine offsets that map positions of processed data in contiguous memory to positions of valid data in a sparse sequence of data.
• the processed data may then be loaded from the contiguous memory to the positions of valid data in the sparse sequence of data.
• the compressed arrangement of processed data in the contiguous memory may be decompressed to a sparse arrangement of the processed data based on positions of valid data in the data vectors 132-136.
• the method 500 of FIG. 5 may improve processing efficiency by reducing the amount of invalid data values that are processed by the SIMD processing pipeline 152.
• the fetch circuitry 150 may provide valid data values (as opposed to valid and invalid data values) to the SIMD processing pipeline 152.
• a relatively simple addressing scheme may be achieved by tracking the parallel-prefix valid count for each data vector 132, 134, 136 during the storage process.
• the processor 104 may identify which data values and/or memory addresses correspond to each data vector 132, 134, 136 based on the parallel-prefix valid count.
• FIG. 6 a block diagram of an electronic device 600 is shown.
• the electronic device 600 may correspond to a mobile device (e.g., a cellular telephone), as an illustrative example.
• the electronic device 600 may correspond to a computer (e.g., a server, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, or a desktop computer), a wearable electronic device (e.g., a personal camera, a head-mounted display, or a watch), a vehicle control system or console, a home appliance, a set top box, an entertainment unit, a navigation device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a television, a monitor, a tuner, a radio (e.g., a satellite radio), a music player (e.g., a digital music player or a portable music player), a video player (e.g., a digital video player, such as a digital video disc (DVD) player or a portable digital video player), a robot, a healthcare device, another electronic device, or a combination thereof.
• a computer e.g., a server
• the electronic device 600 includes the processor 104, such as a digital signal processor (DSP), a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), another processing device, or a combination thereof.
• the processor 104 includes the one or more registers 130, the memory storage circuitry 140, the fetch circuitry 150, and the SIMD processing pipeline 152.
• the one or more registers 110 store the first data vector 132, the second data vector 134, and the third data vector 136.
• the memory storage circuitry 140 includes the data vector analysis circuitry 142, the write circuitry 144, and the offset determination circuitry 146.
• the processor 104 may operate in a substantially similar manner as described with respect to FIG. 1.
• the electronic device 600 may further include the memory 102.
• the memory 102 may be coupled to or integrated within the processor 104.
• the memory 102 may include random access memory (RAM), magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), one or more registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), another storage device, or a combination thereof.
• the memory 102 may store the scatter instruction 106, the parallel-prefix valid count instruction 108, and one or more other instructions 668 executable by the processor 610.
• the processor 104 may execute the scatter instruction 106 to store valid data values (of the data vectors 132, 134, 136) in the compressed memory data vector 110.
• the processor 104 may also execute the parallel-prefix valid count instruction 108 to determine the offset for each data vector 132, 134, 136 with respect to the compressed memory data vector 110.
• the processor 104 may also execute the one or more other instructions 668 to perform the method 500 of FIG. 5.
• FIG. 6 also shows a display controller 626 that is coupled to the processor 104 and to a display 628.
• a coder/decoder (CODEC) 634 can also be coupled to the processor 104.
• a speaker 636 and a microphone 638 can be coupled to the CODEC 634.
• FIG. 6 also indicates that a wireless interface 640, such as a wireless controller and/or a transceiver, can be coupled to the processor 104 and to an antenna 642.
• the processor 104, the display controller 626, the memory 102, the CODEC 634, and the wireless interface 640 are included in a system-in-package or system-on-chip device 622.
• an input device 630 and a power supply 644 may be coupled to the system-on-chip device 622.
• the display 628, the input device 630, the speaker 636, the microphone 638, the antenna 642, and the power supply 644 are external to the system-on-chip device 622.
• each of the display 628, the input device 630, the speaker 636, the microphone 638, the antenna 642, and the power supply 644 can be coupled to a component of the system-on-chip device 622, such as to an interface or to a controller.
• a computer-readable medium e.g., the memory 102 stores instructions that are executable by a processor (e.g., the processor 104) to perform operations.
• the operations include storing first valid data at a first memory address of a memory.
• the first valid data may be located at a first particular position of a first data vector that includes valid data and invalid data.
• the first particular position may be associated with valid data.
• the operations also include determining whether the first data vector includes another position associated with valid data. If the first data vector includes another position associated with valid data, the operations include storing the valid data located at the other position at a second memory address that is contiguous to the first memory address.
• the operations also include storing second valid data at the second memory address if the first data vector does not include another position associated with valid data.
• the second data may be located at a second particular position of a second data vector that includes valid data and invalid data.
• the second particular position may be associated with valid data.
• an apparatus includes means for determining a first offset associated with a first valid position in a sequence of data elements via execution of a parallel-prefix valid count instruction.
• the sequence of data elements may include valid data and invalid data.
• the means for determining the first offset may include the memory storage circuitry 140 of FIGS. 1 and 6, the data vector analysis circuitry 142 of FIGS. 1 and 6, the offset determination circuitry 146 of FIGS. 1 and 6, the processor 104 of FIGS. 1 and 6, one or more other devices, circuits, modules, or any combination thereof.
• the apparatus may also include means for determining a second offset associated with a second valid position in the sequence of data elements via execution of the parallel-prefix valid count instruction.
• the second offset may be based on the first offset and a number of positions in the sequence of data elements that are associated with valid data.
• the means for determining the second offset may include the memory storage circuitry 140 of FIGS. 1 and 6, the data vector analysis circuitry 142 of FIGS. 1 and 6, the offset determination circuitry 146 of FIGS. 1 and 6, the processor 104 of FIGS. 1 and 6, one or more other devices, circuits, modules, or any combination thereof.
• the foregoing disclosed devices and functionalities may be designed and represented using computer files (e.g. RTL, GDSII, GERBER, etc.).
• the computer files may be stored on computer-readable media. Some or all such files may be provided to fabrication handlers who fabricate devices based on such files. Resulting products include wafers that are then cut into die and packaged into integrated circuits (or "chips"). The chips are then employed in electronic devices, such as the electronic device 600 of FIG. 6.
• chips are then employed in electronic devices, such as the electronic device 600 of FIG. 6.
• a software module may reside in random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), or any other form of storage medium known in the art.
• An exemplary non-transitory (e.g. tangible) storage medium is coupled to the processor such that the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium.
• the storage medium may be integral to the processor.
• the processor and the storage medium may reside in an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).
• ASIC application-specific integrated circuit
• the ASIC may reside in a computing device or a user terminal.
• the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in a computing device or user terminal.

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