Top Interview Questions & Answers: TensorRT, ONNX Runtime, Apache TVM in Model Compression & Quantization (2025)

 

Top Interview Questions & Answers: TensorRT, ONNX Runtime, Apache TVM in Model Compression & Quantization (2025)


Section 1: TensorRT – NVIDIA Deep Learning Inference Optimizer


1. What is TensorRT and why is it used?

Answer:
 TensorRT is NVIDIA’s high-performance deep learning inference optimizer and runtime library. It is used to optimize, quantize, and accelerate deep learning models for deployment on NVIDIA GPUs, improving latency and throughput.

Queries: TensorRT inference optimization, NVIDIA model acceleration, deep learning deployment


2. What optimization techniques does TensorRT support?

Answer:

·         Layer and tensor fusion

·         FP16 and INT8 quantization

·         Kernel auto-tuning

·         Dynamic tensor memory

·         Precision calibration

Queries: TensorRT optimization techniques, TensorRT quantization, INT8 FP16 conversion


3. How does INT8 quantization work in TensorRT?

Answer:
 INT8 quantization reduces the model's precision to 8-bit integers, improving inference speed and reducing memory usage. TensorRT uses calibration data to map FP32 activations to INT8 while preserving accuracy.

Queries: TensorRT INT8 quantization, INT8 calibration TensorRT, low-precision inference


4. What is the role of calibration cache in TensorRT?

Answer:
 The calibration cache stores quantization scales for tensors from previous calibration runs, allowing re-use without re-running calibration.

Queries: TensorRT calibration cache, inference speedup, quantization reuse


5. How do you convert a PyTorch or TensorFlow model to TensorRT?

Answer:

1.  Convert the model to ONNX.

2.  Use TensorRT’s trtexec tool or APIs to convert ONNX to a TensorRT engine.

Queries: convert PyTorch to TensorRT, ONNX to TensorRT, model conversion pipeline


Section 2: ONNX Runtime – Cross-Platform Inference Engine


6. What is ONNX Runtime?

Answer:
 ONNX Runtime is a high-performance inference engine for ONNX models. It supports multiple hardware accelerators and platforms like CPU, GPU, TensorRT, and DirectML.

Queries: ONNX Runtime inference engine, cross-platform model deployment, ONNX ecosystem


7. What are the benefits of using ONNX Runtime for model deployment?

Answer:

·         Platform-agnostic deployment

·         Hardware-accelerated backends (e.g., CUDA, TensorRT, OpenVINO)

·         Built-in support for quantization

·         Interoperability with multiple frameworks

Queries: ONNX Runtime advantages, ONNX inference, cross-framework deployment


8. How does ONNX Runtime support quantization?

Answer:
 ONNX Runtime supports:

·         Post-training quantization

·         Dynamic quantization

·         Quantization-aware training (QAT)

Tooling: onnxruntime.quantization.quantize_dynamic() for dynamic quantization.

Queries: ONNX Runtime quantization, dynamic quantization ONNX, QAT ONNX


9. What is the difference between dynamic and static quantization in ONNX Runtime?

Answer:

·         Dynamic Quantization: Weights are quantized offline, activations are quantized on-the-fly.

·         Static Quantization: Both weights and activations are quantized using calibration data.

Queries: static vs dynamic quantization, ONNX quantization comparison


10. How do you optimize an ONNX model for runtime?

Answer:
 Use onnxruntime.transformers.optimizer or ONNX Graph Optimization Tool:

·         Constant folding

·         Operator fusion

·         Redundant node elimination

Queries: optimize ONNX model, ONNX graph transformation, ONNX Runtime tools


Section 3: Apache TVM – Machine Learning Compiler Stack


11. What is Apache TVM?

Answer:
 Apache TVM is an open-source deep learning compiler stack designed to optimize and deploy models on various hardware platforms. It performs model compilation, quantization, and kernel tuning.

Queries: Apache TVM compiler, deep learning deployment TVM, model tuning


12. How does Apache TVM perform model quantization?

Answer:
 TVM supports:

·  Post-training quantization (PTQ)

·   Quantization-aware training (QAT)
 It provides tools to reduce model precision while maintaining accuracy, and optimizes for CPU, GPU, and microcontrollers.

Queries: TVM model quantization, PTQ TVM, QAT TVM


13. What is Relay in Apache TVM?

Answer:
 Relay is TVM's intermediate representation (IR) used to express and transform models during optimization and compilation phases.

Queries: TVM Relay IR, Apache TVM intermediate language, model transformation TVM


14. How is AutoTVM different from AutoScheduler in TVM?

Answer:

· AutoTVM: Manual template-based tuning.

· AutoScheduler: Template-free, automatically generates optimization strategies.

Queries: AutoTVM vs AutoScheduler, TVM tuning engines, model performance tuning


15. What hardware platforms are supported by Apache TVM?

Answer:

·         x86 CPUs

·         NVIDIA GPUs (CUDA)

·         ARM devices (Raspberry Pi, Android)

·         WebAssembly

·         Embedded devices (CMSIS-NN, microTVM)

Queries: Apache TVM supported hardware, model deployment embedded TVM


Conclusion

Model compression and quantization are critical for efficient deployment of AI models, especially in edge and real-time applications. Tools like TensorRT, ONNX Runtime, and Apache TVM play a vital role in achieving low-latency and low-footprint inference.

TensorRT Interview Questions and Answers (2025)

1. What is TensorRT and where is it used?
Answer:
TensorRT is an SDK developed by NVIDIA for high-performance deep learning inference. It optimizes trained models for inference and is widely used in applications like autonomous vehicles, robotics, and AI at the edge.

Queries: TensorRT inference, TensorRT optimization,TensorRT GPU

2. How does TensorRT optimize deep learning models?
Answer:
TensorRT performs several optimizations including:       

  1. Layer fusion        
  2. Precision calibration (FP32, FP16, INT8)       
  3. Kernel auto-tuning        
  4. Dynamic tensor memory management

Queries: TensorRT INT8, FP16 precision, TensorRT layer fusion

3. What are TensorRT engines?
Answer:
A TensorRT engine is a serialized and optimized version of a model tailored for specific hardware and precision modes. It’s designed to run as fast as possible on NVIDIA GPUs.

Queries: TensorRT engine, TensorRT runtime, GPU inference optimization

ONNX Runtime Interview Questions and Answers

1. What is ONNX Runtime?
Answer:
ONNX Runtime is a cross-platform inference engine developed by Microsoft to run ONNX models efficiently across various hardware (CPU, GPU, and specialized accelerators).

Queries: ONNX Runtime inference, ONNX acceleration, ONNX cross-platform

2. How do you optimize models using ONNX Runtime?
Answer:
ONNX Runtime supports:        

  1. Graph optimizations        
  2. Execution providers (like CUDA, DirectML,OpenVINO)        
  3. Quantization (INT8/FP16)        
  4. Parallel execution

Queries: ONNX Runtime quantization, ONNX Runtime

optimization, ONNX EPs


3. Compare ONNX Runtime and TensorRT.
Answer:       

  • TensorRT is NVIDIA-specific and deeply optimized for NVIDIA hardware.        
  • ONNX Runtime is cross-platform and extensible with multiple backends.

Queries: TensorRT vs ONNX Runtime, ONNX vs TensorRT performance.

Apache TVM Interview Questions and Answers

1. What is Apache TVM and what are its use cases?
Answer:
Apache TVM is an open-source deep learning compiler stack that helps optimize models for various hardware backends, including CPUs, GPUs, and specialized accelerators.

Queries: Apache TVM compiler, TVM edge deployment, TVM ML compiler

2. How does Apache TVM optimize models?
Answer:
TVM converts high-level models into low-level optimized code using techniques like:      

  1. Operator fusion        
  2. Loop unrolling        
  3. Auto-tuning        
  4. Ahead-of-time compilation

Queries: TVM operator fusion, TVM auto-tuning, TVM performance optimization

3. What are the benefits of using TVM over ONNX Runtime or TensorRT?
Answer:        

  1. Greater flexibility across diverse hardware        
  2. Compilation at multiple abstraction levels       
  3. Fine-tuned control for embedded systems

Queries: TVM vs ONNX Runtime, TVM vs TensorRT, TVM hardware abstraction

Bonus: Comparative Interview Questions

1. When would you choose TensorRT over TVM or ONNX Runtime?
Answer:
Use TensorRT when:       

  1. You’re targeting NVIDIA GPUs        
  2. You need highly optimized performance (especially INT8)       
  3. You want proprietary CUDA integration

2. Can Apache TVM compile ONNX models?
Answer:
Yes. TVM supports ONNX frontend parsing and converts it into its internal representation for further optimization and code generation.

Queries: TVM ONNX support, ONNX model in TVM


3. What are Execution Providers in ONNX Runtime?
Answer:
Execution Providers (EPs) are hardware-specific backends like:      

  • CUDA        
  • OpenVINO        
  • TensorRT        
  • DirectML

They allow the ONNX Runtime to delegate model subgraphs to specialized hardware.




TensorRT interview questions
ONNX Runtime interview questions
Apache TVM interview questions
TensorRT vs ONNX Runtime vs TVM
Deep learning model optimization questions
Model inference optimization interview prep
Edge AI deployment interview questions
ML compiler questions
Common TensorRT interview questions and answers
ONNX Runtime optimization techniques for interviews
Apache TVM deployment interview Q&A
TensorRT vs TVM vs ONNX Runtime for inference
Real-world TVM use cases for edge deployment
How to optimize deep learning models with ONNX Runtime
Interview questions on deploying models with TensorRT

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