Work graph scheduler implementation

Abstract

Systems, apparatuses, and methods for implementing a hierarchical scheduler. In various implementations, a processor includes a global scheduler, and a plurality of independent local schedulers with each of the local schedulers coupled to a plurality of processors. In one implementation, the processor is a graphics processing unit and the processors are computation units. The processor further includes a shared cache that is shared by the plurality of local schedulers. Each of the local schedulers also includes a local cache used by the local scheduler and processors coupled to the local scheduler. To schedule work items for execution, the global scheduler is configured to store one or more work items in the shared cache and convey an indication to a first local scheduler of the plurality of local schedulers which causes the first local scheduler to retrieve the one or more work items from the shared cache. Subsequent to retrieving the work items, the local scheduler is configured to schedule the retrieved work items for execution by the coupled processors. Each of the plurality of local schedulers is configured to schedule work items for execution independent of scheduling performed by other local schedulers.