Semiconductor & Computer Engineering
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{{title|Hardware Acceleration}} | {{title|Hardware Acceleration}} | ||
| − | '''Hardware acceleration''' refers to the use of specialized hardware circuitry in order to speed up certain computational tasks. | + | '''Hardware acceleration''' refers to the use of specialized hardware circuitry in order to speed up certain computational tasks. Hardware acceleration is designed to speed-up certain functions more than would otherwise be possible using generic software on a [[general-purpose microprocessor]]. The hardware circuitry that performs the acceleration is called an '''[[accelerator]]''' and the software utilizing those accelerators are called '''[[hardware-accelerated software]]'''. |
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| + | == Overview == | ||
| + | As traditional [[single-core performance]] improvements slows down, a need to improve the performance of certain algorithms continues. Additionally, repetitive algorithms can consume a large amount of the processor's resources. Hardware acceleration is any use of specialized hardware circuitry used to speed up computational tasks. Typically, the speed-up is by as much as an order of magnitude vs. what's possible using ordinary software on a [[general-purpose microprocessor]]. Additionally, by off-loading those intense computations to be done by specialized hardware, the main processor's utilization goes down, freeing up resources for other workloads. | ||
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| + | === Typical accelerated workloads === | ||
| + | * Artificial Intelligence | ||
| + | * Compression | ||
| + | * Cryptography | ||
| + | * Graphics | ||
| + | * Vector Manipulation | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[category:hardware acceleration]] | ||
Revision as of 19:21, 19 November 2017
Hardware acceleration refers to the use of specialized hardware circuitry in order to speed up certain computational tasks. Hardware acceleration is designed to speed-up certain functions more than would otherwise be possible using generic software on a general-purpose microprocessor. The hardware circuitry that performs the acceleration is called an accelerator and the software utilizing those accelerators are called hardware-accelerated software.
Overview
As traditional single-core performance improvements slows down, a need to improve the performance of certain algorithms continues. Additionally, repetitive algorithms can consume a large amount of the processor's resources. Hardware acceleration is any use of specialized hardware circuitry used to speed up computational tasks. Typically, the speed-up is by as much as an order of magnitude vs. what's possible using ordinary software on a general-purpose microprocessor. Additionally, by off-loading those intense computations to be done by specialized hardware, the main processor's utilization goes down, freeing up resources for other workloads.
Typical accelerated workloads
- Artificial Intelligence
- Compression
- Cryptography
- Graphics
- Vector Manipulation