Hash-Based Address Mapping for Arbitrary Memory Enablement or Disablement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current graphics data processing systems face inefficiencies due to inactive memory portions caused by defects or deactivations, which traditional methods fail to address effectively, leading to suboptimal performance and resource utilization.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a hash-based memory addressing system that enables arbitrary enablement or disablement of memory resources, allowing flexible allocation and utilization of memory locations within a multi-chiplet architecture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional memory addressing methods are used, then memory portions can be addressed, but inactive memory portions due to defects or deactivations cannot be effectively managed, leading to suboptimal performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvememory resource managementVSAvoidperformance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the memory addressing mechanism from traditional direct addressing to hash-based addressing. The system changes the addressing parameters by using hash functions that can accommodate inactive memory portions, allowing the memory controller to dynamically map active memory portions to available addresses. This enables the system to maintain performance by efficiently managing and addressing only active memory portions while ignoring inactive ones due to defects or deactivations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If fixed function computational units are used in graphics processors, then specific graphics operations can be processed, but adaptability to various operations is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegraphics processing capabilityVSAvoidoperation variety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by transitioning from fixed function computational units to programmable computational units in the graphics processor. The system enables a single set of computational units to perform multiple different operations by loading different instruction sets or kernels, allowing the same hardware to handle various graphics and compute tasks. This multi-functional approach maintains ease of manufacture while significantly improving adaptability to different operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If pipelining techniques are implemented to process graphics data in parallel, then processing efficiency increases, but complexity of coordinating parallel threads increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidthread coordination
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by implementing thread synchronization mechanisms where threads automatically manage their own execution state and coordination. The system uses hardware-supported atomic operations and memory ordering constraints that allow threads to self-synchronize without complex external coordination logic. This enables efficient parallel processing while reducing the complexity of thread coordination through hardware-assisted self-management of synchronization primitives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Productivity

If single instruction multiple thread architecture is used, then parallel processing is maximized, but handling of arbitrary memory enablement or disablement becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparallel processing capabilityVSAvoidmemory addressing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing a hash-based address translation layer between the SIMT architecture and the physical memory subsystem. This intermediary hash translation mechanism translates the unified virtual addresses generated by SIMT threads into physical addresses that account for arbitrary memory enablement or disablement. The hash function acts as a mediator that reconciles the simplified SIMT addressing model with the complex reality of selective memory activation, maintaining parallel processing efficiency while handling memory enablement/disability flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4432103B1Hashing to provide memory addressing for arbitrary enablement or disablement of memory resources
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 INTEL CORP
  • EP4432103B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4432103B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4432103B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

Hashing to provide memory addressing with arbitrary enablement or disablement of memory resources is described. An example of an apparatus includes one or more processors and a memory including multiple memory portions. The one or more processors are to perform memory address hashing for memory portions to generate memory address mapping. Performance of the memory address hashing includes receiving memory address information including identification of one or more memory portions of the memory portions to be inactive, generating one or more individual memory address hashes, wherein each memory address hash includes a mapping of a number of active memory portions of the plurality of memory portions to a range of memory addresses, and outputting a memory address hash including a final memory address based at least in part on the memory address mapping for the one or more individual memory address hashes.