Dual-Mode Data Transfer Unit for Buffer Latency Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information processing systems face challenges in managing buffer memory capacity as data transfer rates increase, particularly due to lack of efficient data transfer methods and inadequate monitoring of buffer conditions, leading to potential buffer size limitations and latency issues.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a dual-mode data transfer approach, where an initial transfer fills the buffer to its capacity, followed by subsequent transfers of smaller data amounts, with a time management unit managing the transfer intervals to maintain real-time data output and monitor buffer conditions, thereby optimizing buffer size and reducing latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If data transfer rate is increased to match output unit throughput, then buffer memory capacity requirement increases, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data transfer process into multiple smaller transfer units. Instead of transferring large amounts of data in single operations that would require large buffer memory, the transfer is divided into multiple smaller transactions. Each transfer unit contains control information (transfer start signal, transfer end signal) and data, allowing the system to manage buffer memory more efficiently while maintaining high data transfer rates.
2Reliability
If buffer memory capacity is increased to handle higher data rates, then data output reliability improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the transfer unit monitors buffer memory conditions and adjusts data transfer accordingly. The transfer start signal is generated based on buffer availability, and the transfer end signal confirms successful transfer. This feedback loop ensures reliable data output while dynamically managing buffer memory usage, preventing both overflow and underflow conditions without requiring excessive buffer capacity.
3Productivity
If data transfer is performed in large units, then transfer efficiency improves, but latency increases and buffer monitoring becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic transfer unit sizing where the amount of data transferred in each unit is not fixed but adapts based on buffer memory conditions and output unit requirements. The transfer unit can adjust the number of pixels or data elements transferred based on real-time buffer status, allowing the system to optimize between transfer efficiency and latency reduction, maintaining high productivity while minimizing waiting time.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes a buffer, an output unit configured to output data held in the buffer to an output device, and a transfer unit configured to transfer data held in a memory to a buffer of the output unit, wherein the transfer unit transfers the data held by the memory in a first mode in which data of an amount corresponding to a size of the buffer of the output unit is transferred and then, transfers the data held by the memory in a second mode in which data of an amount smaller than the size of the buffer of the output unit is transferred a plurality of times.