Q.
It is necessary to design a pipeline for a fixed-point
multiplier that multiplies two 8-bit binary integers. Each
segment consists of a number of AND gates and a binary adder
similar to an array multiplier as shown in Fig. 10-10. a. How
many AND gates are there in each segment, and what size of
adder is needed? b. How many segments are there in the
pipeline? c. If the propagation delay in each segment is 30 ns,
what is the average time
Ans: Concepts:
Digital design, Pipeline, Fixed-point multiplier, And gates, Binary
adder, Propagation delay
Explanation:
To design a pipeline for a fixed-point multiplier that multiplies
two 8-bit binary integers, we need to consider the structure of an
array multiplier. An array multiplier consists of rows of AND
gates and adders. Each row corresponds to one bit of the multiplier
and involves partial product generation and accumulation.
Step by Step Solution:
Step 1
Determine the number of AND gates in each segment. Each
segment corresponds to one bit of the multiplier and involves
generating partial products.
Step 2
For an 8-bit multiplier, each bit of the multiplier will be ANDed
with each bit of the multiplicand, resulting in 8 AND gates per
segment.
Step 3
Determine the size of the adder needed in each segment. The
adder in each segment accumulates the partial products.
Step 4
For an 8-bit multiplier, the adder size will be 8 bits because we
need to add the partial products generated by the AND gates.
Step 5
Calculate the number of segments in the pipeline. Each segment
corresponds to one bit of the multiplier.
Step 6
For an 8-bit multiplier, there will be 8 segments in the pipeline,
one for each bit of the multiplier.
Step 7
Calculate the average time if the propagation delay in each
segment is 30 ns. The average time is the total propagation delay
divided by the number of segments.
Final Answer:
a. Each segment has 8 AND gates and an 8-bit adder. b. There are
8 segments in the pipeline. c. The average time is 30 ns.
Q. Evaluate the impact of pipelining on CPU performance.
Identify potential hazards and discuss strategies to overcome
them.
Ans: mpact of Pipelining on CPU Performance:
• Increased Throughput:
Pipelining allows the CPU to process multiple instructions
simultaneously, leading to a higher throughput. This means
the CPU can complete more work in a given time.
• Reduced Cycle Time:
While pipelining doesn't directly reduce the time for a single
instruction to complete, it decreases the average time between
instruction completions by allowing overlapping execution.
• Potential for Speedup:
In theory, a pipelined CPU with n stages can achieve a speedup of
n compared to a non-pipelined CPU.
•
Pipeline Hazards:
• Structural Hazards:
These occur when multiple instructions in different stages of
the pipeline need to use the same hardware resource at the
same time. For example, if two instructions need to use the
same memory unit in the same cycle.
• Data Hazards:
These arise when the execution of one instruction depends on the
results of a previous instruction that is still being processed in the
pipeline. This can lead to situations where an instruction tries to
read a value that has not yet been written.
• Control Hazards:
Branch instructions introduce control hazards because they change
the program counter, potentially causing the pipeline to fetch
incorrect instructions. This can lead to stalls or wasted cycles.
Strategies to Overcome Hazards:
• Duplication of Hardware:
To mitigate structural hazards, duplicate hardware
components can be added to handle multiple instructions
simultaneously. For example, having multiple memory units
or ALUs.
• Forwarding:
Data hazards can be resolved by forwarding the results of previous
instructions to the next stage of the pipeline, allowing dependent
instructions to access the necessary data without stalling.
• Branch Prediction:
Control hazards can be reduced by predicting the outcome of
branch instructions. If the prediction is correct, the pipeline can
continue without interruption. If the prediction is wrong, the
pipeline must be flushed and restarted.
• Stalling:
In some cases, it might be necessary to stall the pipeline (delay the
dependent instruction) to resolve a hazard. This is a temporary
slowdown but is necessary to ensure correct instruction execution.
• Register Renaming:
This technique involves using multiple register names to represent
the same data value, allowing multiple instructions to access the
data without causing data hazards.
• Instruction Reordering (Compiler Optimization):
Compilers can sometimes reorder instructions to avoid da
ta dependencies and minimize the impact of hazards.
Q. Consider the four stage pipelined processor specified by the
following diagram.
The pipeline has a total evaluation time of six clock cycles all
successor stages must be used
after each clock cycle.
a) Specify the reservation table for above pipelined processor
with six columns and four rows
b) What are the forbidden latencies and the initial collision
vector?
c) Draw the state transition diagram.
d) Write down the simple cycles and Greedy cycle.
e) Evaluate MAL Value.
Ans:
The pipeline has a total evaluation time of six clock cycles all
successor stages must be used
after each clock cycle.
a) Specify the reservation table for above pipelined processor
with six columns and four rows
b) What are the forbidden latencies and the initial collision
vector?
c) Draw the state transition diagram.
d) Write down the simple cycles and Greedy cycle.
e) Evaluate MAL Value.