Conditional Load Timeout Device for Memory Bus Traffic Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in serializing memory access requests from concurrently executing threads or processes, leading to inefficiencies and increased bus traffic, as they lack effective mechanisms to manage conditional load operations with time-outs.
Innovation Solution
A Conditional Load with Time-out (CLT) device is implemented in a memory controller, which receives memory load requests, checks conditions, and delays responses if conditions are not met, allowing store operations to satisfy conditions before exceeding a time-out threshold, thereby serializing access and reducing unnecessary load requests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple threads concurrently execute memory load requests without conditional access control, then processor productivity is maintained, but memory access conflicts increase and bus traffic increases
Solution Approach 1:
The CLT device acts as an intermediary between threads and memory, receiving conditional load requests, evaluating conditions, and coordinating access. This mediator serializes access requests and manages wait periods, reducing direct conflicts and unnecessary bus traffic while maintaining thread productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary condition evaluation before allowing memory access. By checking conditions in advance and establishing wait periods, the system prevents redundant load requests and resolves access conflicts before they occur, reducing overall bus traffic.
2Reliability
If threads continuously poll memory addresses without time-out mechanism, then access completeness is ensured, but time is wasted and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The CLT device implements a feedback mechanism where threads receive replies indicating whether their condition was satisfied or the wait period exceeded. This feedback allows threads to understand the outcome of their access attempts and adjust their behavior accordingly, eliminating endless polling while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides self-service by automatically managing wait periods and condition evaluation. Threads initiate requests and receive appropriate responses without continuous intervention, allowing the system to handle timing and coordination autonomously while preserving thread productivity.
3Measurement precision
If conditional load operations are implemented without time-out feature, then access precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a time-out parameter to the conditional load operation, transforming it from an indefinite wait to a bounded operation. This parameter change simplifies the device structure by providing a clear termination condition while maintaining precise condition evaluation through the CLT device.
Data Source
AI summary
A method can include receiving a first memory load request by a conditional load with time out (CLT) device at a first time. The first memory load request can specify a first condition. A first determination of whether the first condition is satisfied is performed. The CLT device determines a wait period when the first condition is not satisfied. A reply is issued. The reply indicates that the first condition is satisfied when the first condition is satisfied. The reply indicates that the first condition is not satisfied when the duration of the wait period exceeds a time-out threshold. When the first condition is not satisfied, a first memory store request can be received during the wait period and a second determination of whether the first condition satisfied performed. The reply indicates that the first condition is satisfied when the second determination is that the first condition is satisfied.