Dynamic Interrupt Vector Allocation Based on Activity Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional computer systems face performance degradation due to high runtime overhead from device polling when multiple events share the same interrupt vector, as they statically allocate interrupt vectors at system startup, leading to inefficient interrupt handling.
Innovation Solution
A method for dynamically allocating interrupt vectors based on event activity rates, where high-IRQ-rate events receive dedicated vectors and low-IRQ-rate events share vectors, with an interrupt manager monitoring and adjusting allocations to minimize overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If interrupt vectors are statically allocated at system startup, then device initialization is simplified, but runtime overhead increases due to polling required for shared interrupt vectors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic interrupt vector allocation where the system transitions from static allocation at initialization to dynamic allocation based on runtime event activity. The interrupt manager continuously monitors event rates and reallocates interrupt vectors accordingly, allowing the system to adapt to changing workloads and minimize polling overhead for low-activity events while maintaining dedicated vectors for high-activity events.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the allocation state of interrupt vectors based on measured event activity parameters. Events are classified as high-IRQ-rate or low-IRQ-rate based on monitored parameters, and the interrupt vector allocation parameter is adjusted accordingly - high-activity events receive dedicated vectors while low-activity events share vectors, thereby reducing runtime overhead.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple events share the same interrupt vector, then the number of interrupt vectors required is reduced, but system performance degrades due to increased polling overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic allocation where interrupt vector sharing is not fixed but adapts based on event activity levels. The interrupt manager monitors IRQ rates and dynamically adjusts which events share vectors versus receive dedicated vectors, optimizing the balance between vector quantity and performance based on actual system workload conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different quality of interrupt vector allocation is applied to different events based on their individual activity characteristics. High-IRQ-rate events receive high-quality dedicated vectors for immediate handling, while low-IRQ-rate events share vectors with acceptable polling overhead, thereby optimizing overall system performance rather than applying uniform allocation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If device polling is performed at runtime to identify events using shared interrupt vectors, then interrupt vector sharing is enabled, but overhead for interrupt handling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts polling frequency and interrupt vector allocation based on measured event activity rates. For low-IRQ-rate events sharing interrupt vectors, polling is performed at optimized intervals to minimize overhead. For high-IRQ-rate events, dedicated vectors eliminate the need for polling entirely, thereby reducing overall time loss while maintaining sharing capability where beneficial.
Solution Approach 2:
The interrupt manager performs periodic monitoring of event activity rates and adjusts interrupt vector allocation accordingly. This periodic action allows the system to identify when events should share vectors versus when they should receive dedicated vectors, optimizing the balance between sharing benefits and polling overhead based on observed workload patterns.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for dynamically allocating interrupt vectors on demand. A computer system measures a rate of activities associated with an event. Based on the rate of activities, the computer system determines whether to allocate a dedicated interrupt vector to the event. The rate of activities can be an interrupt request (IRQ) rate.