GSI Technology, Inc.
Sparse matrix multiplication in associative memory device

Abstract:

A method for multiplying a first sparse matrix by a second sparse matrix in an associative memory device includes storing multiplicand information related to each non-zero element of the second sparse matrix in a computation column of the associative memory device; the multiplicand information includes at least a multiplicand value. According to a first linear algebra rule, the method associates multiplier information related to a non-zero element of the first sparse matrix with each of its associated multiplicands, the multiplier information includes at least a multiplier value. The method concurrently stores the multiplier information in the computation columns of each associated multiplicand. The method, concurrently on all computation columns, multiplies a multiplier value by its associated multiplicand value to provide a product in the computation column, and adds together products from computation columns, associated according to a second linear algebra rule, to provide a resultant matrix.