Coprocessor Reset Controller Queue for Session Latency

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current data processing systems experience delays when switching between processing sessions due to the need for coprocessor reset and reconfiguration, which involves latency and inefficiency in handling configuration data.

Innovation Solution

A data processing apparatus with a coprocessor core and a reset controller that includes a configuration data queue to store pending configuration data for the next processing session, allowing immediate reconfiguration upon completion or crash of the current session, reducing latency by pre-storing necessary data for the next session.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the coprocessor is reset and reconfigured between processing sessions, then the correct memory view and security boundaries are established for the next session, but latency and processing delays occur due to the reset and reconfiguration process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory security boundariesVSAvoidsession transition latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The host processor prepares and queues the configuration data for the next processing session in advance, before the current session completes. This preliminary action ensures that when the coprocessor finishes its current task, the configuration data is already available in the queue, eliminating the need to wait for configuration preparation during the session transition, thus reducing latency while maintaining security boundaries

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the host processor prepares configuration data for the next session after the current session completes, then the coprocessor can be properly reconfigured, but processing efficiency decreases due to idle time between sessions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoprocessor reconfigurationVSAvoidprocessing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The host processor continuously prepares configuration data for subsequent processing sessions and maintains a queue of pre-prepared configuration data. This continuous preparation ensures that the coprocessor can transition between sessions without idle waiting time, as configuration data is always ready in the queue, thereby maintaining processing efficiency while ensuring proper reconfiguration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If multiple processing sessions are queued with their configuration data, then the coprocessor can process sessions sequentially without delays, but the complexity of the reset controller increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesession processing throughputVSAvoidreset controller structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A configuration data queue is introduced as an intermediary structure between the host processor and the coprocessor. This queue serves as a buffer that stores pre-prepared configuration data for multiple processing sessions, allowing the reset controller to simply retrieve the next configuration from the queue without complex scheduling logic, thus improving throughput while limiting complexity growth

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8473717B2Coprocessor reset controller with queue for storing configuration information of subsequent sessions prior to completion of current session

Publication Date: 2013.06.25 ARM LTD

AI summary

A data processing apparatus is provided, configured to carry out data processing operations on behalf of a main data processing apparatus, comprising a coprocessor core configured to perform the data processing operations and a reset controller configured to cause the coprocessor core to reset. The coprocessor core performs its data processing in dependence on current configuration data stored therein, the current configuration data being associated with a current processing session. The reset controller is configured to receive pending configuration data from the main data processing apparatus, the pending configuration data associated with a pending processing session, and to store the pending configuration data in a configuration data queue. The reset controller is configured, when the coprocessor core resets, to transfer the pending configuration data from the configuration data queue to be stored in the coprocessor core, replacing the current configuration data.