Dynamic Interleaving Configuration for Cache Prefetching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-channel memory systems with static interleaving patterns limit the timeliness, accuracy, and coverage of cache prefetching, leading to inefficiencies in memory access and processing delays.
Innovation Solution
Dynamic interleaving configuration modification based on prefetch performance characteristics, such as frequency of late prefetches, coverage, and accuracy, to adjust prefetch distance and degree dynamically, improving memory-side cache prefetching performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single static interleaving pattern is used in multi-channel memory systems, then the system configuration is simple and stable, but the prefetch performance in terms of timeliness, accuracy, and coverage is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a static interleaving pattern to a dynamic one that can be modified at runtime. The system now supports changing interleaving configurations based on observed prefetch performance characteristics, allowing the memory system to adapt to different workload patterns and optimize prefetch timeliness, accuracy, and coverage without requiring a complete system redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying interleaving configuration parameters (such as interleaving factor and pattern type) based on measured prefetch performance metrics. The system monitors prefetch accuracy, coverage, and timeliness, then adjusts the interleaving parameters dynamically to optimize these metrics, transforming the fixed parameter system into an adjustable one
2Quantity of substance
If prefetch distance and degree are increased to improve prefetch coverage, then more data is preloaded into cache, but memory access latency may increase and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring prefetch performance metrics (accuracy, coverage, timeliness) and using this information to dynamically adjust prefetch parameters. The system measures the actual benefit of prefetching and feeds this information back to the interleaving configuration mechanism, which then optimizes the prefetch distance and degree to maximize coverage while minimizing latency through intelligent parameter selection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by selectively increasing prefetch distance and degree only when performance metrics indicate it would be beneficial. Rather than always using maximum prefetch parameters, the system adjusts the level of prefetching based on actual workload patterns and performance measurements, avoiding unnecessary latency introduced by excessive prefetching while still achieving adequate coverage
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for coordinated memory-side cache prefetching and dynamic interleaving configuration modification involve modifying one or both of the prefetch distance or the prefetch degree used by prefetcher modules of one or more memory-side caches by modifying interleaving configuration data following detection of an interleaving reconfiguration trigger condition indicative, for example, of low prefetch accuracy, low prefetch coverage, high prefetch lateness, or a combination of these. In response an interleaving reconfiguration trigger condition, a processor modifies the interleaving configuration data for the processing system based on the prefetch performance characteristics associated with the interleaving reconfiguration trigger condition. In some embodiments, the interleaving configuration data is modified by changing which physical memory address indices are used to determine the bits that define the channel identification number to which that physical memory address is to be mapped.