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Kernel fusion

What it is

Kernel fusion combines adjacent tensor operations into a single device kernel. Intermediate values can stay on chip instead of returning to device memory between operations.

Why it moves cost and latency

Fusion can reduce memory traffic and host launch count along a serving path. Excessive fusion can raise register pressure, limit scheduling, or produce kernels poorly suited to some shapes.

What it looks like in practice

Compilers and handwritten kernels fuse patterns supported by their backends. Teams measure representative shapes because a useful fusion boundary depends on data layout and hardware.

Related terms

  • Tokens per second->
  • Flash attention->
  • Decode->
  • CUDA graphs->
  • torch.compile->

Questions this definition answers

What does Kernel fusion mean in inference serving?

Kernel fusion combines adjacent tensor operations into a single device kernel. Intermediate values can stay on chip instead of returning to device memory between operations. Compilers and handwritten kernels fuse patterns supported by their backends. Teams measure representative shapes because a useful fusion boundary depends on data layout and hardware.

Why can Kernel fusion move cost or latency?

Fusion can reduce memory traffic and host launch count along a serving path. Excessive fusion can raise register pressure, limit scheduling, or produce kernels poorly suited to some shapes.

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