Dual Buffer Memory Allocation for Zero-Copy Data Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
In systems processing large data quantities, such as automated driving, conventional 'zero copy' approaches fail to allow continuous data updates without copying, leading to inefficiencies and resource consumption due to data race issues and the inability to modify data after entry.
Innovation Solution
A method that allocates memory based on its status, allowing the last used memory to be updated without copying, ensuring consistent access and avoiding data race by checking if consumers have processed the data before updating, and copying data if the memory is not usable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a conventional zero copy approach is used to avoid data copying, then computing resources are saved, but the ability to continuously update and modify data is lost due to data race issues
Solution Approach 1:
The memory management is segmented into multiple buffers (first buffer and second buffer) that can be alternately used. This segmentation allows the system to divide the data storage function into separate segments, enabling continuous updates by switching between segments while maintaining zero-copy efficiency for active data transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary allocation of multiple buffers in advance. By pre-configuring the first buffer and second buffer with their respective characteristics (first memory characteristic and second memory characteristic), the system is prepared to switch between them without requiring real-time copying operations, thus enabling continuous updates while maintaining zero-copy efficiency.
2Productivity
If data is written to memory in a zero copy approach, then copying overhead is eliminated, but subsequent modification of the data becomes impossible without causing undefined behavior
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of allowing modification after writing to the same memory location, the system inverts the approach by providing two separate buffers. The producer can write to one buffer while consumers read from the other, and then switch roles in the next cycle. This inversion of the traditional write-then-modify sequence enables both efficient zero-copy transfer and continuous modification capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication middleware acts as an intermediary that manages the buffer allocation and switching. It mediates between the producer and consumer, ensuring that data modification operations can occur in one buffer while another buffer is being consumed, thus enabling both zero-copy efficiency and continuous data update capability.
3Loss of energy
If the same memory location is used for continuous data updates, then copying is avoided, but data race conditions occur when multiple processes access the data simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The memory is segmented into at least two distinct buffers with different memory characteristics. This segmentation physically separates the data storage locations, allowing the producer to write to one buffer while consumers read from another, thereby eliminating data race conditions while maintaining zero-copy efficiency for active data transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic switching between the first buffer and second buffer. During one period, the producer writes to the first buffer while consumers read from the second buffer. In the next period, the roles are reversed. This periodic action ensures that simultaneous access to the same memory location is avoided, maintaining data access consistency while enabling continuous updates without copying.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing a piece of data in a communication system. The method includes: allocating a memory means for updating data in the memory means, in particular by a producer, in particular in response to a request signal of the producer; updating the data in the provided memory means with the piece of data; providing the memory means for the purpose of being read out, in particular by a consumer, wherein, in the allocation step, the memory means is allocated as a function of a status of the memory means.