Matrix Odd-Even Partition: A High Power-Efficient Solution to the Small Grain Data Shuffle

The shuffle operation is one of the bottlenecks invector DSPs. The partitioning problem of the shuffle matrix will have a great effect on the design of the shuffle unit, when dealing with the small grain data shuffle using a smaller-sized crossbar. The traditional matrix block partitioning solution will bring much chip area, power consumption and critical path delay. This paper presents a new matrix partitioning solution: the odd-even partition, which has advantages in dealing with the data going into or out of the shuffle network. It can simplify the hardware design and improve the power efficacy of the shuffle unit in vector DSPs, compared with the matrix block partitioning solution. The principles and theorems of the odd-even partition are explained and proofed. The shuffle unit based on the odd-even partition is implemented. Some contrastive experimental results show that the odd-even partitioning solution can decrease the critical path delay by 12.2%~21.6%, reduce the hardware area by 20.9%~40.8% and cut down the power consumption by 23.5%~56.8%, compared with the matrix block partitioning solution.