Compressed Memory Buffer Device Offloads Host Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory systems face challenges in efficiently managing memory compression and decompression operations, leading to increased latency and reduced performance due to the host's involvement in these operations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a compressed memory buffer device with host interface circuitry and compression/decompression circuitry that offloads memory compression and decompression operations from the host to the buffer device, allowing for optimal utilization of multiple memory tiers and reducing data transfer between the host and buffer device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the host performs memory compression and decompression operations, then the host can manage memory operations, but the latency increases and performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the compression and decompression functions from the host processor and places them in a dedicated buffer device. The buffer device includes compression circuitry and decompression circuitry that operate independently from the host, allowing the host to manage memory operations without being burdened by the time-consuming compression/decompression tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer device acts as an intermediary between the host and the memory tiers. It handles compression and decompression operations locally, mediating between the host's memory management needs and the actual data storage/retrieval operations, thereby reducing the host's involvement in time-consuming compression tasks.
2Ease of operation
If the host performs compression and decompression operations, then the host can control memory operations, but the productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the compression and decompression functions from the host processor and places them in a dedicated buffer device. The buffer device includes compression circuitry and decompression circuitry that operate independently from the host, allowing the host to manage memory operations without being burdened by the time-consuming compression/decompression tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer device performs compression and decompression operations autonomously without requiring host intervention. The compression circuitry automatically compresses data when writing to compressed memory tiers, and the decompression circuitry automatically decompresses data when reading, enabling self-service operation that improves productivity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If memory compression operations are performed, then memory tier utilization is optimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the buffer device: compression circuitry, decompression circuitry, and buffer memory are integrated into a single device. This merging allows the buffer device to handle compression, decompression, and data buffering operations simultaneously, optimizing memory tier utilization while containing complexity within a single integrated component.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer device is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both a compression engine, a decompression engine, and a buffer memory. This universal design allows the same device to perform multiple memory management tasks, improving adaptability across different memory operations without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
A buffer integrated circuit (IC) chip is disclosed. The buffer IC chip includes host interface circuitry to receive a request from at least one host. The request includes at least one command to perform a memory compression operation on first uncompressed data that is stored in a first memory region. Compression circuitry, in response to the at least one command, compresses the first uncompressed data to first compressed data. The first compressed data is transferred to a second memory region.