microsoft / microsoft/onnxruntime

[Feature Request] Multi-Head Latent Attention(DeepSeek) support on CPU/NPU

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feature request platform:mobile
Dominant language
C++
Stars
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Avg merge
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Merged PRs (30d)
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Description

### Describe the feature request

DeepSeek's models use Multi-head Latent Attention, the current ONNX model [https://huggingface.co/onnxruntime/DeepSeek-R1-Distill-ONNX](url) release leverages GroupQueryAttention.

Is MLA on roadmap for ONNXRT?

### Describe scenario use case

Lower KV cache footprint with Multi-Head Latent Attention improving mobile and edge inference

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First steps

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Research direction

Start by reviewing the linked DeepSeek-R1-Distill-ONNX release and its use of GroupQueryAttention, then compare that with the requested Multi-Head Latent Attention behavior. The issue names no ONNX Runtime entry point or test; completion criteria would need to define CPU/NPU support and validation of the lower KV-cache footprint.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
cpp, machine-learning
Domain
machine-learning, performance
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
5/5
Estimated time
Over a week
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Needs clarification
Newbie friendliness
20/100

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