Adaptive Resource Arbiter for Pipelined Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computer systems that manage shared resources often inefficiently allocate resources due to always requiring the maximum possible resources needed, leading to unnecessary resource unavailability and reduced system performance, especially in clocked systems where resource requirements vary over time.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an adaptive resource management approach where a resource arbiter determines the minimum resources required for each request, allowing requests to be granted in the first available clock cycle or subsequent cycles based on availability, and prioritizing high-priority requestors to optimize resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the arbiter requires maximum possible resources to be available for allocation, then the reliability of resource allocation is improved, but the productivity of the system deteriorates due to unnecessary resource unavailability
Solution Approach 1:
The arbiter dynamically determines the minimum resource requirements for each request based on current system state and timing constraints, rather than using a fixed maximum requirement. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to grant requests when sufficient resources are available without unnecessarily blocking other requests, thereby improving throughput while maintaining allocation reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The arbiter changes the parameter of resource requirement from a static maximum value to a dynamic minimum value that varies based on timing constraints and system state. This parameter change enables the system to optimize resource allocation by considering when resources will be needed rather than requiring maximum resources to be available at all times.
2Productivity
If the arbiter uses time-varying resource requirements, then the productivity of the system is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional arbitration logic
Solution Approach 1:
The arbiter performs preliminary determination of minimum resource requirements based on timing constraints before making allocation decisions. By pre-calculating what the minimum requirements will be based on known timing information, the arbiter avoids complex real-time calculations during the allocation decision process, reducing instantaneous complexity while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The arbiter uses feedback from the system state and timing information to adjust resource requirement determinations. By continuously monitoring system conditions and using this feedback to refine minimum requirement calculations, the arbiter achieves adaptive resource management without requiring overly complex logic, as the feedback mechanism guides the arbitration decisions systematically.
3Speed
If the arbiter grants requests in the first available clock cycle, then the speed of resource allocation is improved, but the loss of time increases due to pipeline delays in determining resource requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The arbiter performs preliminary determination of minimum resource requirements using timing information that becomes available during the request process. By using this preliminary information to make allocation decisions in the first available clock cycle, the system minimizes pipeline delays while ensuring that resource requirements are properly accounted for, thus reducing time loss without sacrificing allocation speed.
Data Source
AI summary
A resource arbiter in a system with multiple shared resources and multiple requestors may implement an adaptive resource management approach that takes advantage of time-varying requirements for granting access to at least some of the shared resources. For example, due to pipelining, signal timing issues, or a lack of information, more resources than are required to perform a task may need to be available for allocation to a requestor before its request for the needed resources is granted. The requestor may request only the resources it needs, relying on the arbiter to determine whether additional resources are required in order to grant the request. The arbiter may park a high priority requestor on idle resources, thus allowing requests for those resources by the high priority requestor to be granted on the first clock cycle of a request. Other requests may not be granted until at least a second clock cycle.