Data Unit Processing with Hardware Search Trees
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data processing systems face inefficiencies in identifying and managing connection identifiers for protocol data units, particularly in handling various types of data units and ensuring secure transmission, as they often rely on complex search trees that require significant computational resources and may not effectively handle missing connection identifiers.
Innovation Solution
A device with multiple interfaces and a processing apparatus that utilizes a binary or ternary search tree for hardware-based searches and a red-black tree for efficient management, allowing for temporary tree modifications and selective use of search trees to ascertain connection identifiers and regulate data output, while also providing software-based processing for handling missing identifiers and secure checks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If complex search trees are used to manage connection identifiers, then the system can handle various types of data units, but the computational resources required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the search tree management into two distinct components: a first search tree implemented in hardware for efficient lookup of connection identifiers, and a second search tree implemented in software for management and updates. This segmentation allows the hardware to perform fast searches while the software handles complex management tasks, reducing overall computational resource requirements while maintaining versatility in handling different data unit types.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex search trees are used to manage connection identifiers, then the system can handle various types of data units, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the search tree functionality into hardware and software components. The first search tree in hardware provides a simplified structure optimized for fast searching, while the second search tree in software handles the complexity of management and updates. This segmentation reduces device complexity by placing only essential search functionality in hardware while offloading complex management to software.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a processing apparatus as an intermediary between the hardware search tree and software management system. This intermediary coordinates between the two search trees, managing data flow and synchronization, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining the ability to handle various data unit types.
3Productivity
If hardware-based search is used for finding connection identifiers, then the searching efficiency improves, but the ability to handle missing identifiers and perform security checks decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the processing capabilities between hardware and software: the hardware search tree handles fast lookup of existing connection identifiers, while the software component handles exceptional cases such as missing identifiers and security checks. This segmentation maintains high searching efficiency for routine operations while preserving the ability to handle complex scenarios through software-based processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing apparatus acts as an intermediary that directs search queries to the appropriate component. For routine identifier lookups, it uses the hardware search tree for efficiency. For missing identifiers or security-related operations, it invokes software-based processing, thereby maintaining both speed and adaptability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If software-based processing is used for managing search trees, then the flexibility to modify and balance trees improves, but the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments search tree operations into time-critical search functions executed by hardware and management functions executed by software. The hardware search tree performs fast lookups for active connections, while software periodically updates and balances the trees in the background. This segmentation minimizes processing time for critical operations while maintaining tree flexibility through software management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-balancing and organizing the search tree structure in advance through software. This preliminary organization optimizes the hardware search tree for fast lookups before actual data processing begins, reducing processing time during runtime while maintaining the flexibility to rebalance when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for processing data units, for example protocol data units. The device has a first number of input interfaces for receiving protocol data units and a second number of output interfaces for outputting protocol data units, and a processing apparatus, which is configured to perform, based on a PDU identifier associated with a received protocol data unit, a search in at least a first search tree, which has an allocation of in each case one PDU identifier to a connection identifier characterizing at least one data connection.