Graphics Processing Unit Grouping for Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data processing systems face challenges in providing sufficient independence and isolation between multiple graphics processing sub-systems, such as those required in vehicles for instrument consoles, navigation, and entertainment systems, while also managing resource distribution efficiently and cost-effectively.
Innovation Solution
A data processing system that allocates processing units into groups with dedicated arbiters to control access, allowing flexible configuration and separation of safety-critical and non-safety critical operations, enabling dynamic allocation of resources between domains and virtual machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single graphics processing unit is time shared between different graphics processing functions, then resource utilization is improved, but independence and isolation between sub-systems deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single graphics processing unit into multiple isolated execution contexts or virtual machines, each capable of independent operation. This segmentation allows time-sharing of physical resources while maintaining logical isolation through separate address spaces, permission structures, and execution environments, thereby resolving the contradiction between resource utilization and system independence.
2Reliability
If completely separate graphics processing units are provided for each graphics processing function, then independence and isolation between sub-systems is improved, but device complexity and cost deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple graphics processing functions into a single physical graphics processing unit while maintaining logical separation through virtualization mechanisms. Multiple virtual machines or execution contexts share the same physical hardware resources, reducing the total number of components needed while preserving the independence and isolation required for safety-critical applications.
3Reliability
If completely separate graphics processing units are provided for each graphics processing function, then independence and isolation between sub-systems is improved, but cost deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal graphics processing unit capable of serving multiple different graphics processing functions simultaneously through time-sharing and virtualization. A single multi-functional GPU can replace multiple dedicated GPUs, reducing overall system cost while maintaining the required isolation between safety-critical and non-safety-critical functions through software-based partitioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A data processing system (1) comprises a plurality of, e.g. graphics, processing units (11), and a management circuit (12) associated with the processing units and operable to configure the processing units of the plurality of processing units into respective groups of the processing units. The management circuit (12) is configured to always operate with a high level of fault protection, but the groups of the processing units can be selectively operated with either a higher level of fault protection or a lower level of fault protection, by selectively subjecting them to fault detection testing (60).