Caching techniques for deep learning accelerator

Abstract

Systems, devices, and methods related to a Deep Learning Accelerator and memory are described. For example, the accelerator can have processing units to perform at least matrix computations of an artificial neural network via execution of instructions. The processing units have a local memory store operands of the instructions. The accelerator can access a random access memory via a system buffer, or without going through the system buffer. A fetch instruction can request an item, available at a memory address in the random access memory, to be loaded into the local memory at a local address. The fetch instruction can include a hint for the caching of the item in the system buffer. During execution of the instruction, the hint can be used to determine whether to load the item through the system buffer or to bypass the system buffer in loading the item.