Inline Constant Block Detection in Memory Compression Pipelines
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data compression systems face challenges in achieving low latency compression and decompression while maximizing memory savings, particularly due to the inefficiencies in handling constant data blocks.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a constant detection functionality within a hardware accelerator that identifies and manages constant data blocks by associating them with metadata, allowing for reduced storage and improved compression efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If software-based LZO compression is used, then compression speed is improved, but memory savings are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs constant detection during the compression operation itself, rather than as a separate preliminary step. The constant detection logic is integrated into the compression pipeline, allowing the system to identify constant blocks and apply specialized handling inline, thus maintaining high compression speed while improving memory savings through targeted optimization of constant data blocks.
2Loss of substance
If more aggressive compression algorithms like Deflate are used, then memory savings are improved, but compression latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the compression process by identifying constant data blocks within the input stream and handling them differently from non-constant blocks. By dividing the data stream into constant and non-constant segments, the system can apply simple, fast encoding to constant blocks while using more sophisticated algorithms only where necessary, thus reducing overall compression latency while maintaining good memory savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies constant detection and specialized handling to only the portion of data that consists of constant blocks, rather than applying aggressive compression algorithms to the entire data stream. This partial action approach reduces the computational overhead and latency associated with aggressive compression while still achieving significant memory savings on the constant portions of the data.
3Loss of substance
If constant detection is performed during compression, then compressibility is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the constant detection logic with the existing compression operation by integrating it into the compression pipeline. The constant detection is performed in conjunction with the compression process rather than as a separate operation, allowing the system to identify constant blocks and apply optimized handling without requiring additional processing stages or complex coordination between separate modules.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
Apparatus and method for detecting a constant data block are described herein. An apparatus embodiment includes compression circuitry to perform compression operations on a memory block; constant detection circuitry to, concurrently with performance of the compression operations on the memory block, determine that the memory block is a constant data block comprised of only repeat instances of a constant value; and controller circuitry to associate a first indication with the memory block based on the determination, the first indication usable for controlling whether to abort the compression operations or whether to discard a compressed memory block generated from the compression operations.