Dynamic Diffusion Coefficient for Decentralized Task Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing decentralized workload distribution techniques in collaborative computing, such as chemical diffusion, do not account for the volatility of job requests, leading to limited diffusion and increased job cancellations due to excessive queuing times, particularly affecting high-priority tasks.

Innovation Solution

A method that monitors and adjusts the diffusion coefficient based on the 'half-life' of job requests, allowing for more effective load-balancing by transferring tasks between processing resources, prioritizing high-priority tasks and reducing cancellations by compensating for volatility through increased diffusion coefficients.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If decentralized workload distribution using chemical diffusion is used, then load balancing is achieved, but job cancellations increase due to excessive queuing times

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejob completion rateVSAvoidqueuing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The diffusion coefficient is made dynamic and adaptive rather than static. The system continuously monitors queue lengths and job characteristics, adjusting the diffusion coefficient in real-time to optimize workload distribution. This dynamic adjustment prevents jobs from lingering in queues too long while maintaining effective load balancing across the distributed system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the diffusion coefficient parameter based on system state. By monitoring queue lengths, job priorities, and processing rates, the system adjusts the diffusion coefficient to compensate for job volatility. This parameter adaptation allows the system to handle high-priority jobs more aggressively while maintaining overall load balance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If higher diffusion coefficients are used to compensate for volatility, then load balancing improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem throughputVSAvoidcontrol mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the diffusion coefficient is continuously adjusted based on monitored system performance. By observing queue lengths, job completion rates, and cancellation patterns, the system automatically tunes the diffusion coefficient to maintain optimal throughput without requiring complex manual control or intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The workload distribution system is self-regulating through automatic diffusion coefficient adjustment. The system monitors its own state and adapts the diffusion parameter without external control, enabling it to self-optimize throughput while compensating for job volatility inherently through the feedback loop.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2391943B1Allocation of processing tasks
Publication Date: 2018.10.10 BRITISH TELECOM PLC
  • EP2391943B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2391943B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2391943B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods and systems for allocating processing tasks between a plurality of processing resources (12, 14, 16, 18), each of said processing resources having associated therewith one or more queues (13, 15, 17, 19) for holding tasks awaiting processing, each of said tasks having a task-type indication identifying the task as belonging to one of a plurality of predetermined task-types; the method resulting in at least one of said plurality of processing resources selecting one of said plurality of task-types and transferring one or more tasks of that task-type to another of said processing resources.