(amdgpu-execution-synchronization)=

# AMDGPU Execution Synchronization


(amdgpu-execution-synchronization-barriers)=

This document covers different ways of synchronizing execution of threads on AMD GPUs.

:::{note}
This document is not exhaustive. There may be more ways of synchronizing execution
that are not covered by this document.
:::

## Barriers

This section covers execution synchronization using barrier-style primitives.

(amdgpu-execution-synchronization-barriers-execution-model)=

### Execution Model

This section contains a formal execution model that can be used to model the behavior of
barriers on AMDGPU targets.

Barriers only synchronize execution and do not affect the visibility of memory operations between threads.
Refer to the {ref}`execution barriers memory model<amdgpu-amdhsa-execution-barriers-memory-model>`
to determine how to synchronize memory operations through *barrier-executes-before*.

:::{note}
The barrier execution model is experimental and subject to change.
:::

:::{rubric} Barrier *Objects*
:::

Threads can synchronize execution by performing barrier operations on barrier *objects* as described below:

Each barrier *object* has the following state:

- An unsigned positive integer *expected count*: counts the number of *arrive* operations
  expected for this barrier *object*.

- An unsigned non-negative integer *arrive count*: counts the number of *arrive* operations
  already performed on this barrier *object*.

  - The initial value of *arrive count* is zero.
  - When an operation causes *arrive count* to be equal to *expected count*, the barrier is completed,
    and the *arrive count* is reset to zero.

Barrier *objects* exist within a *scope* instance (see {ref}`amdgpu-amdhsa-llvm-sync-scopes-table`),
and thus can only be accessed by threads in the same *scope* instance.

(amdgpu-execution-synchronization-barriers-execution-model-barrier-operations)=

:::{rubric} Barrier Operations
:::

Barrier operations are performed on barrier *objects*. A barrier operation is a dynamic instance
of one of the following:

- Barrier *init*

  - Barrier *init* takes an additional unsigned positive integer argument *k*.
  - Sets the *expected count* of the *barrier object* to *k*.
  - Resets the *arrive count* of the *barrier object* to zero.

- Barrier *drop*.

  - Decrements *expected count* of the barrier *object* by one.
  - A barrier *drop* cannot cause the *expected count* of the barrier *object*
    to become negative; otherwise, the behavior is undefined.

- Barrier *arrive*.

  - Increments the *arrive count* of the barrier *object* by one.
  - If supported, an additional argument to *arrive* can also update the *expected count* of the
    barrier *object* before the *arrive count* is incremented;
    the new *expected count* cannot be less than or equal to the *arrive count*,
    otherwise the behavior is undefined.

- Barrier *wait*.

  - Introduces execution dependencies between threads; this operation depends on
    other barrier operations to complete.

Barrier modification operations are barrier operations that modify the barrier *object* state:

- Barrier *init*.
- Barrier *drop*.
- Barrier *arrive*.

:::{rubric} `Thread-barrier-order<BO>`
:::

`Thread-barrier-order<BO>` is the subset of *program-order* that only relates barrier operations
performed on a barrier *object* `BO`.

:::{rubric} `Barrier-modification-order<BO>`
:::

All barrier modification operations on a barrier *object* `BO` occur in a strict total order called
`barrier-modification-order<BO>`; it is the order in which `BO` observes barrier
operations that change its state. For any valid `barrier-modification-order<BO>`, the
following must be true:

- Let `A` and `B` be two barrier modification operations where `A -> B` in
  `thread-barrier-order<BO>`, then `A -> B` is also in `barrier-modification-order<BO>`.
- The first element in `barrier-modification-order<BO>` is always a barrier *init*, otherwise
  the behavior is undefined.

:::{rubric} *Barrier-participates-in*
:::

*Barrier-participates-in* relates barrier operations to the barrier *waits* that depend on them
to complete. A barrier operation `X` *barrier-participates-in* a barrier *wait* `W`
if and only if all of the following is true:

- `X` and `W` are both performed on the same barrier *object* `BO`.
- `X` is a barrier *arrive* or *drop* operation.
- `X` does not *barrier-participate-in* another distinct barrier *wait* `W'` in the same thread as `W`.
- `W -> X` not in `thread-barrier-order<BO>`.
- All dependent constraint and relations are satisfied as well. [^0]

For the set `S` consisting of all barrier operations that *barrier-participate-in* a barrier *wait* `W` for some
barrier *object* `BO`:

- The elements of `S` all exist in a continuous, uninterrupted interval of `barrier-modification-order<BO>`.
- The *arrive count* of `BO` is zero before the first operation of `S` in `barrier-modification-order<BO>`.
- The *arrive count* and *expected count* of `BO` are equal after the last operation of `S` in
  `barrier-modification-order<BO>`. The *arrive count* and *expected count* of `BO` cannot
  equal at any other point in `S`.

[^0]: The definition of *barrier-participates-in* (in its current state) is non-deterministic and
    will be improved in the future: Within a valid execution, there may be multiple ways
    to build *barrier-participates-in*, however there is only one way to build it that also satisfies all
    other relations and constraints that depend on *barrier-participates-in* and relations derived from it.

:::{rubric} *Barrier-executes-before*
:::

A barrier operation `A` *barrier-executes-before* another barrier operation `B` if any of the
following is true:

- `A -> B` in *program-order*.
- `A -> B` in *barrier-participates-in*.
- `A` *barrier-executes-before* some barrier operation `X`, and `X`
  *barrier-executes-before* `B`.

*Barrier-executes-before* is consistent with `barrier-modification-order<BO>` for every barrier object `BO`.

:::{rubric} Barrier *drop* races
:::

For every pair of barrier *arrive* `A` and barrier *drop* `D` performed on a barrier *object*
`BO`, such that `A -> D` in `thread-barrier-order<BO>`, one of the following must be true:

- `A` does not *barrier-participates-in* any barrier *wait*.
- `A` *barrier-participates-in* at least one barrier *wait* `W`
  such that `W -> D` in *barrier-executes-before*.

:::{rubric} *barrier-phase-with*
:::

*barrier-phase-with* is a symmetric relation over barrier operations defined as the
transitive closure of: *barrier-participates-in* and its inverse relation.

:::{rubric} Barrier phase separation
:::

For every barrier operation `A` that *barrier-participates-in* a barrier *wait* `W` on a barrier *object* `BO`:

- There is no barrier operation `X` on `BO` such that `A -> X -> W` in
  *barrier-executes-before*, and `X` *barrier-phase-with* a non-empty set of operations
  that does not include `W`.

#### Informational Notes

Informally, we can deduce from the above formal model that execution barriers behave as follows:

- *Barrier-executes-before* relates the dynamic instances of operations from different threads together.
  For example, if `A -> B` in *barrier-executes-before*, then the execution of `A` must complete
  before the execution of `B` can complete.

  - This property can also be combined with *program-order*. For example, let two (non-barrier) operations
    `X` and `Y` where `X -> A` and `B -> Y` in *program-order*, then we know that the execution
    of `X` completes before the execution of `Y` does.

- Barriers do not complete "out-of-thin-air"; a barrier *wait* `W` cannot depend on a barrier operation
  `X` to complete if `W -> X` in *barrier-executes-before*.

- It is undefined behavior to operate on an uninitialized barrier object.

- It is undefined behavior for a barrier *wait* to never complete.

- It is not mandatory to *drop* a barrier after *joining* it.

- A thread may not *arrive* and then *drop* a barrier *object* unless the barrier completes before the
  barrier *drop*. Incrementing the *arrive count* and decrementing the *expected count* directly
  after may cause undefined behavior.

- *Joining* a barrier is only useful if the thread will *wait* on that same barrier *object* later.

### Barrier Implementations on AMDGPU Targets

#### `s_barrier`

`s_barrier` are the primary barrier implementation of AMD GPUs.

`s_barrier` instructions can only be used to synchronize threads at a wavefront granularity.
`s_barrier` instructions are convergent within a wave, and thus can only be performed
in wave-uniform control flow.

The `s_barrier` family of instructions is available in some form on all GFX targets,
and has evolved over time. The sub-sections below cover the capabilities offered by every major
iteration of this feature separately.

##### GFX6-11

Targets from GFX6 through GFX11 included do not have the "split barrier" feature.
The barrier *arrive* and barrier *wait* operations **cannot** be performed independently
using `s_barrier`.

There is only one *workgroup barrier* object of `workgroup` scope that is implicitly used
by all `s_barrier` instructions.

The following code sequences can be used to implement the barrier operations defined by the
{ref}`execution synchronization model<amdgpu-execution-synchronization-barriers-execution-model>` using
`s_barrier` on GFX6 through GFX11:

```{list-table} s_barrier GFX6-11
:name: amdgpu-execution-synchronization-barriers-sbarrier-gfx6-11
:widths: 15 15 70
:header-rows: 1

   * - Barrier Operation(s)
     - Barrier *Object*
     - AMDGPU Machine Code
   * - **Init and Drop**
     -
     -
   * - *init*
     - *Workgroup barrier*
     - Automatically initialized by the hardware when a workgroup is launched.
       The *expected count* of this barrier is set to the number of waves in the
       workgroup.
   * - *drop*
     - *Workgroup barrier*
     - When a thread ends, it automatically *drops* this barrier *object* if it
       had previously *joined* it.
   * - **Arrive and Wait**
     -
     -
   * - *arrive* then *wait*
     - *Workgroup barrier*
     - **BackOffBarrier**

       `s_barrier`

       **No BackOffBarrier**

       `s_waitcnt vmcnt(0) expcnt(0) lgkmcnt(0)`

       `s_waitcnt_vscnt null, 0x0`

       `s_barrier`

       - If the target does not have the BackOffBarrier feature, then there
         cannot be any outstanding memory operations before issuing the
         `s_barrier` instruction.
       - The waitcnts can independently be moved earlier, or removed entirely
         as long as the associated counter remains at zero before issuing the
         `s_barrier` instruction.
       - The `s_barrier` instruction cannot complete before all waves of the
         workgroup have launched.
   * - *arrive*
     - *Workgroup barrier*
     - Not available separately, see *arrive* then *wait*
   * - *wait*
     - *Workgroup barrier*
     - Not available separately, see *arrive* then *wait*
```

##### GFX12

GFX12 targets have the split-barrier feature, and also allow `s_barrier` instructions to use
one of multiple barrier *objects* available per workgroup. `s_barrier` instruction use the
barrier ID operand to determine the barrier *object* they operate on.

GFX12.5 additionally introduces new barrier *objects* that offer more flexibility for synchronizing the execution
of a subset of waves of a workgroup, or synchronizing execution across workgroups within a workgroup cluster, via
`s_barrier`. These are called "named barriers".

:::{note}
Check the {ref}`the table below<amdgpu-execution-synchronization-barriers-sbarrier-ids-gfx12>` to determine
which barrier IDs are available to `s_barrier` instructions on a given target.
:::

(amdgpu-execution-synchronization-barriers-execution-model-gfx12-sbarrier)=

###### "Named Barriers" Model Extensions

In order to reason about the execution of `s_barrier` "named barriers" on GFX12.5 and up,
we define the following extensions to the
{ref}`barrier execution model<amdgpu-execution-synchronization-barriers-execution-model>`:

:::{note}
The aforementioned execution model always applies unless stated otherwise by one of the extensions below.
:::

:::{rubric} Barrier *Objects*
:::

There is a sub-type of barrier *objects* called *named barrier objects*.
*Named barrier objects* inherit all the properties of barrier *objects* as defined by the barrier execution
model. They are also subject to additional constraints.

Not all barrier *objects* are *named barrier objects*, and both types can coexist in an implementation.

:::{rubric} Barrier Operations
:::

The entirety of the
{ref}`barrier operations section<amdgpu-execution-synchronization-barriers-execution-model-barrier-operations>`
applies, with the following barrier operation being added:

- Barrier *join*.

  - Allow the thread that executes the operation to *wait* on a barrier *object*.
  - Can only be used on *named barrier objects*.

:::{rubric} *Barrier-joined-before*
:::

A barrier *join* `J` is *barrier-joined-before* a barrier operation `X` if and only if all
of the following is true:

- `J -> X` in `thread-barrier-order<BO>`.
- `X` is not a barrier *join*.
- There is no barrier *join* or *drop* `JD` where `J -> JD -> X` in `thread-barrier-order<BO>`.
- There is no barrier *join* `J'` on a distinct barrier *object* `BO'` such that `J -> J' -> X` in
  *program-order*.

:::{rubric} Join and Drop Ordering
:::

For every barrier *drop* `D` performed on a *named barrier object* `BO`:

- There is a barrier *join* `J` such that `J -> D` in *barrier-joined-before*;
  otherwise, the behavior is undefined.

:::{rubric} Join and Wait Ordering
:::

For every barrier *wait* `W` performed on a *named barrier object* `BO`:

- There is a barrier *join* `J` such that `J -> W` in *barrier-joined-before*, and
  `J` must *barrier-executes-before* at least one operation `X` that
  *barrier-participates-in* `W`; otherwise, the behavior is undefined.

###### Code Sequences

The following code sequences can be used to implement the barrier operations defined by the
GFX12 `s_barrier`
{ref}`execution synchronization model<amdgpu-execution-synchronization-barriers-execution-model-gfx12-sbarrier>`:

```{list-table} s_barrier GFX12
:name: amdgpu-execution-synchronization-barriers-sbarrier-gfx2
:widths: 15 15 70
:header-rows: 1

   * - Barrier Operation(s)
     - Barrier ID
     - AMDGPU Machine Code
   * - **Init, Join and Drop**
     -
     -
   * - *init*
     - `-2`, `-1`
     - Automatically initialized by the hardware when a workgroup is launched.
       The *expected count* of this barrier is set to the number of waves in the
       workgroup.
   * - *init*
     - `-4`, `-3`
     - Automatically initialized by the hardware when a workgroup is launched
       as part of a workgroup cluster. The *expected count* of this barrier is
       set to the number of workgroups in the workgroup cluster.
   * - *init*
     - `0`
     - Automatically initialized by the hardware and always available. This
       barrier *object* is opaque and immutable as all operations other than
       barrier *join* are no-ops.
   * - *init*
     - `[1, 16]`
     - `s_barrier_init <N>`

       - `<N>` is an immediate constant, or stored in the lower half of `m0`.
       - The value to set as the *expected count* of the barrier is stored in
         the upper half of `m0`.
   * - *join*
     - `-2`, `-1`

       `-4`, `-3`
     - N/A
   * - *join*
     - `0`

       `[1, 16]`
     - `s_barrier_join <N>`

       - `<N>` is an immediate constant, or stored in the lower half of `m0`.
   * - *drop*
     - `0`

       `[1, 16]`
     - `s_barrier_leave`

       - `s_barrier_leave` takes no operand. It can only be used to *drop* a
         *named* barrier *object* `BO` if `BO` was previously *joined* using
         `s_barrier_join`.
       - *Drops* the *named* barrier *object* `BO` if and only if there is a
         barrier *join* `J` such that `J` is *barrier-joined-before* this
         barrier *drop* operation.
   * - *drop*
     - `-2`, `-1`

       `-4`, `-3`
     - When a thread ends, it automatically *drops* this barrier *object* if it
       had previously *joined* it.
   * - **Arrive and Wait**
     -
     -
   * - *arrive*
     - `-4`, `-3`

       `-2`, `-1`

       `0`

       `[1, 16]`
     - `s_barrier_signal <N>`

       Or

       `s_barrier_signal_isfirst <N>`

       - `<N>` is an immediate constant, or stored in bits `[4:0]` of `m0`.
       - The `_isfirst` variant sets `SCC=1` if this wave is the first to signal
         the barrier, otherwise `SCC=0`.
       - For barrier *objects* `[1, 16]`: When using `m0` as an operand, if
         there is a non-zero value contained in the bits `[22:16]` of `m0`, the
         *expected count* of the barrier *object* is set to that value before
         the *arrive count* of the barrier *object* is incremented. The new
         *expected count* value must be greater than or equal to the
         *arrive count*, otherwise the behavior is undefined.
       - For barrier *objects* `-4` and `-3` (`cluster` barriers): only one wave
         per workgroup may arrive at the barrier on behalf of its entire
         workgroup. However, any wave within the workgroup cluster can then
         *wait* on this barrier *object*.
       - This is a no-op on the *NULL barrier* (barrier *object* `0`).
   * - *wait*
     - `-4`, `-3`

       `-2`, `-1`

       `0`

       `[1, 16]`
     - `s_barrier_wait <N>`.

       - `<N>` is an immediate constant.
       - For barrier *objects* `-2` and `-1`: This instruction cannot complete
         before all waves of the workgroup have launched.
       - For barrier *objects* `-4` and `-3` (`cluster` barriers): This
         instruction cannot complete before all waves of the workgroup cluster
         have launched.
       - This is a no-op on the *NULL barrier* (barrier *object* `0`).
       - For *named barrier objects*, this instruction always waits on the last
         *named barrier object* that the thread has *joined*, even if it is
         different from the *barrier object* passed to the instruction.
```

The following barrier IDs are available:

```{list-table} s_barrier IDs GFX12
:name: amdgpu-execution-synchronization-barriers-sbarrier-ids-gfx12
:widths: 15 15 15 10 45
:header-rows: 1

   * - Barrier ID
     - Scope
     - Availability
     - *Named barrier object*?
     - Description
   * - `-4`
     - `cluster`
     - GFX12.5
     - NO
     - *Cluster trap barrier*; *cluster barrier object* for use by all
       workgroups of a workgroup cluster. Dedicated for the trap handler and
       only available in privileged execution mode (not accessible by the
       shader).
   * - `-3`
     - `cluster`
     - GFX12.5
     - NO
     - *Cluster user barrier*; *cluster barrier object* for use by all
       workgroups of a workgroup cluster.
   * - `-2`
     - `workgroup`
     - GFX12 (all)
     - NO
     - *Workgroup trap barrier*, dedicated for the trap handler and only
       available in privileged execution mode (not accessible by the shader).
   * - `-1`
     - `workgroup`
     - GFX12 (all)
     - NO
     - *Workgroup barrier*.
   * - `0`
     - `workgroup`
     - GFX12.5
     - YES
     - *NULL barrier*.
   * - `[1, 16]`
     - `workgroup`
     - GFX12.5
     - YES
     - *Named barrier objects* for the shader to assign and use.
```

Informally, we can note that:

- All operations on the *NULL named barrier object* other than *join* are no-ops.

  - As the *NULL barrier* (barrier ID `0`) is also a *named* barrier *object*, a thread can
    use a *join* on the *NULL* barrier as a way to "unjoin" a *named barrier*
    (break *barrier-joined-before*) without having to use a *drop* operation.

- When a thread ends, it does **not** implicitly *drop* any *named barrier objects*
  (barrier IDs `[0, 16]`) it has *joined*.