Centralized Event Tags for SMP Synchronization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In symmetric multiprocessing systems, maintaining cache coherence and synchronization across multiple processors can lead to delays and performance issues due to the potential for events to override each other if not properly synchronized, especially when new events are broadcast before previous ones have completed.
Innovation Solution
Implementing centralized event tags (CETs) at each communication interface to manage event synchronization, where local CETs are updated based on advancing rules, allowing new events to start without waiting for all chips to post completion status, and using replay buffers and scoreboards to avoid redundant broadcasts and maintain synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If new events are broadcast before previous events complete, then system performance is improved by reducing delays, but synchronization is lost and events may override each other
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces centralized event tags (CETs) as intermediary structures at each communication interface to mediate between event broadcasting and synchronization. These CETs act as mediators that track event sequences and ensure proper ordering without requiring global waiting, thus enabling overlapping event broadcasts while maintaining synchronization through local tag management and comparison mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the synchronization management by assigning separate centralized event tags to each communication interface rather than using a single global synchronization mechanism. This segmentation allows independent tracking of event sequences at different interfaces, enabling parallel event processing while maintaining local synchronization order and preventing overrides through interface-specific tag comparison.
2Reliability
If polling and waiting for event completion status on all chips is implemented, then event synchronization is maintained, but excessive delays are added and system performance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-establishing centralized event tags at each communication interface before events occur. These tags are initialized and ready to immediately compare and validate incoming event tags, eliminating the need for post-event polling or waiting. The system is prepared in advance to accept or drop events based on pre-configured tag comparisons, significantly reducing synchronization delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication interfaces perform self-service synchronization by autonomously comparing their local centralized event tags with incoming event tags and automatically determining whether to accept or drop events. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external polling or coordination, allowing each interface to independently maintain synchronization state without requiring system-wide waiting or polling operations.
3Productivity
If centralized event tags are assigned to each communication interface, then event synchronization is improved without waiting for all chips, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing separate centralized event tags at each communication interface with interface-specific characteristics and behaviors. Each interface manages its own tag independently with its own advancing rules, allowing optimized local synchronization without requiring complex global coordination. The local quality of interface-specific tags enables simplified individual management while achieving system-wide effectiveness through distributed operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the invention include computer-implemented methods, systems, and computer program products that assign a centralized event tag to each communication interface of a plurality of communication interfaces of a chip interconnected in a hierarchy through the communication interfaces to a plurality of chips in a multiprocessing system. A determination is performed of whether to accept or drop a message associated with an event received at one of the communication interfaces of the chip based on comparing a local centralized event tag with a received centralized event tag. The local centralized event tag is updated based on one or more advancing rules to maintain event synchronization between the chip and the plurality of chips.