Information handling system including a multiple compute element processor with distributed data on-ramp data-off ramp topology
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsRobert Alan Cargnoni, Gary Alan Gorman, Charles Francis Marino, Julie Ann Rosser
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Abstract
A symmetric multi-processing (SMP) processor includes a primary interconnect trunk for communication of information between multiple compute elements situated along the primary interconnect trunk. The processor also includes a secondary interconnected trunk that may be oriented perpendicular with respect to the primary interconnect trunk. The processor distributes data on-ramps and data off-ramps across the data lanes of a data trunk of the primary interconnect trunk to enable communication with compute elements and other structures both on-chip and off-chip.
Claims20
A processor comprising:
- a substrate including a perimeter;
- a primary interconnect trunk situated along a first axis of the substrate, the primary interconnect trunk including first and second opposed ends, the primary interconnect trunk including a data trunk;
- a secondary interconnect trunk situated along a second axis of the substrate, the first axis intersecting the second axis such that the primary and secondary interconnect trunks divide the processor into first, second, third and fourth quadrants, the secondary interconnect trunk including first and second opposed ends;
- and
- a plurality of compute elements being situated in each of the first, second, third and fourth quadrants along the primary interconnect trunk, wherein each of the compute elements couples directly to the primary interconnect trunk;
- the compute elements of the first quadrant being switchably coupled to the data trunk via a first plurality of data on-ramps that extend across a portion of the data trunk but not fully across the data trunk;
- the compute elements of the second quadrant being switchably coupled to the data trunk via a second plurality of data on-ramps that extend across a portion of the data trunk but not fully across the data trunk;
- the compute elements of the third quadrant being switchably coupled to the data trunk via a third plurality of data on-ramps that extend across a portion of the data trunk but not fully across the data trunk;
- the compute elements of the fourth quadrant being switchably coupled to the data trunk via a fourth plurality of data on-ramps that extend across a portion of the data trunk but not fully across the data trunk;
- the compute elements of the first, second, third and fourth quadrants being switchably coupled to the data trunk via a plurality of data off-ramps that extend fully across the data trunk.
An information handling system (IHS), comprising:
- a first memory;
- a processor, coupled to the first memory, the processor including:
- a substrate including a perimeter;
- a primary interconnect trunk situated along a first axis of the substrate, the primary interconnect trunk including first and second opposed ends, the primary interconnect trunk including a data trunk;
- a secondary interconnect trunk situated along a second axis of the substrate, the first axis intersecting the second axis such that the primary and secondary interconnect trunks divide the processor into first, second, third and fourth quadrants, the secondary interconnect trunk including first and second opposed ends;
- and
- a plurality of compute elements being situated in each of the first, second, third and fourth quadrants along the primary interconnect trunk, wherein each of the compute elements couples directly to the primary interconnect trunk;
- the compute elements of the first quadrant being switchably coupled to the data trunk via a first plurality of data on-ramps that extend across a portion of the data trunk but not fully across the data trunk;
- the compute elements of the second quadrant being switchably coupled to the data trunk via a second plurality of data on-ramps that extend across a portion of the data trunk but not fully across the data trunk;
- the compute elements of the third quadrant being switchably coupled to the data trunk via a third plurality of data on-ramps that extend across a portion of the data trunk but not fully across the data trunk;
- the compute elements of the fourth quadrant being switchably coupled to the data trunk via a fourth plurality of data on-ramps that extend across a portion of the data trunk but not fully across the data trunk;
- the compute elements of the first, second, third and fourth quadrants being switchably coupled to the data trunk via a plurality of data off-ramps that extend fully across the data trunk.
A method comprising,
- providing a plurality of compute elements located adjacent a primary interconnect trunk situated on a first axis of a substrate, the primary interconnect trunk including a data trunk with first and second ends, wherein each of the compute elements couples directly to the primary interconnect trunk;
- providing a secondary interconnect trunk on a second axis of the substrate, the first axis intersecting the second axis such that the primary and secondary interconnect trunks divide the compute elements into first, second, third and fourth quadrants on the substrate;
- switchable coupling the compute elements of the first quadrant coupled to the data trunk via a first plurality of data on-ramps that extend across a portion of the data trunk but not fully across the data trunk;
- switchable coupling the compute elements of the second quadrant coupled to the data trunk via a second plurality of data on-ramps that extend across a portion of the data trunk but not fully across the data trunk;
- switchable coupling the compute elements of the third quadrant coupled to the data trunk via a third plurality of data on-ramps that extend across a portion of the data trunk but not fully across the data trunk;
- switchable coupling the compute elements of the fourth quadrant coupled to the data trunk via a fourth plurality of data on-ramps that extend across a portion of the data trunk but not fully across the data trunk;
- and
- switchably coupling the compute elements of the first, second, third and fourth quadrants to the data trunk via a plurality of data off-ramps that extend fully across the data trunk.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.