Reduced Precision and Energy Efficient Computing

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Many applications run with 64-bit precision throughout without really understanding whether this is necessary and, in the past this has not been a significant performance issue. However, current processors offer an enhanced performance using reduced precision and, in addition, there is reduced memory traffic when reduced precision is used. There is, therefore, the prospect of much reduced execution time and energy consumption through the use of reduced precision. In some cases, the whole application may be run in reduced precision; in others, it may be possible to limit the use of high precision to critical parts of the algorithm.

Since the first stage of investigations into the use of reduced precision was performed, new reduced precision and AI chips have been developed. In 2021/22, we will update this work by

  • Performing an audit of the technical specifications of different chips and frameworks for using the chips
  • Compare different chips using reduced/mixed precision version of a code that emulates CCP/HEC algorithms
  • Write a report that summarises our results and, if favourable results, provide further online training.

Training Course

Reports

Presentations