Fill Buffer Management for High Temporal Locality Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microprocessors in mobile devices face power management challenges due to memory regions with high temporal locality of reference, which result in increased power consumption and inefficient cache buffer allocation and de-allocation.
Innovation Solution
Detecting regions with high temporal locality of reference and writing data to a fill buffer instead of the cache, while managing the life-cycle of fill buffers to prevent continuous allocation and de-allocation, thereby reducing power usage and maintaining throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If data is stored in cache for regions with high temporal locality of reference, then data access speed is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the memory hierarchy by introducing fill buffers as a separate layer between cache and main memory. Data with high temporal locality is routed through fill buffers instead of being stored in cache, separating the power-intensive cache operations from frequent access patterns. This segmentation allows the system to maintain fast access for frequently accessed data without incurring the full power cost of cache writes.
Solution Approach 2:
Fill buffers serve as an intermediary structure between cache and main memory. They capture and hold frequently accessed data, acting as a mediator that prevents direct cache access for high temporal locality references. This intermediary layer reduces the number of power-intensive cache write operations while maintaining data availability for subsequent accesses.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fill buffers are continuously allocated and de-allocated for memory regions, then buffer availability is improved, but power consumption increases due to repeated allocation operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-allocating fill buffers for regions likely to exhibit high temporal locality based on initial detection. Once allocated, these buffers are maintained for extended periods rather than being repeatedly allocated and de-allocated. This preliminary allocation strategy reduces the frequency of allocation operations and their associated power consumption while maintaining buffer availability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic management of fill buffer lifecycles based on detected temporal locality patterns. Buffers are allocated when high temporal locality is detected and maintained for the duration of the pattern, adapting to workload characteristics without requiring repeated allocation/de-allocation cycles. This dynamic approach optimizes both buffer availability and power efficiency.
3Quantity of substance
If fill buffers are de-allocated for regions without high temporal locality, then buffer resources are freed for other uses, but throughput decreases due to reduced buffer availability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating buffer management strategies based on the specific characteristics of each memory region. Fill buffers are maintained for regions exhibiting high temporal locality while being de-allocated for regions without such patterns. This localized approach ensures that buffer resources are preserved where they provide the most benefit to throughput while being freed for other uses where they are not needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from temporal locality detection to dynamically manage fill buffer allocation and de-allocation decisions. By monitoring access patterns and detecting high temporal locality regions, the system provides feedback that guides buffer lifecycle management, ensuring buffers are maintained where they support throughput and freed where they do not, optimizing the balance between resource availability and performance.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to accessing memory content with a high temporal locality of reference. An embodiment of the disclosure stores the content in a data buffer, determines that the content of the data buffer has a high temporal locality of reference, and accesses the data buffer for each operation targeting the content instead of a cache storing the content.