GPU Virtual Address Disassociation for Dynamic Array Memory Loading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Performing computational operations consumes significant memory, time, or computing resources due to inefficient loading and unloading of array data in GPUs.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an application programming interface (API) to dynamically load and unload array data from a GPU using CUDA programs, optimizing memory usage and processing efficiency by creating and managing virtual addresses separately from physical backing memory.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If array data is loaded into GPU memory for computational operations, then computational performance is improved, but memory consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomputational performanceVSAvoidmemory consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic memory management by allowing arrays to be selectively loaded into and unloaded from GPU memory based on computational needs. The system transitions from static memory allocation to dynamic allocation, where memory resources are allocated when needed and released when no longer required, resolving the contradiction between maintaining high computational performance and reducing memory consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables discarding of array data from GPU memory after computational operations complete, and recovering that memory for subsequent operations. This principle allows the system to release memory resources that are no longer needed while maintaining the capability to reload them when required, thus balancing computational performance with memory efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Quantity of substance

If array data is unloaded from GPU memory to reduce memory usage, then memory consumption decreases, but access time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvememory consumptionVSAvoiddata access time
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary loading of array data into GPU memory before computational operations are initiated. By pre-loading data that will be needed for upcoming computations, the system minimizes access delays while maintaining low memory consumption for currently active operations. This resolves the contradiction by preparing data in advance rather than loading it on-demand during computation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Speed

If virtual addresses are permanently associated with physical memory, then memory access efficiency is improved, but memory flexibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvememory access efficiencyVSAvoidmemory flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic association between virtual addresses and physical memory locations in the page table. Instead of permanent mappings, the system allows virtual address mappings to be created, modified, and removed based on computational requirements. This dynamic approach maintains fast access efficiency for active data while providing the flexibility to reconfigure memory mappings as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different memory mapping qualities to different virtual addresses based on their usage state. Active arrays maintain permanent virtual-to-physical mappings for efficient access, while inactive arrays have their mappings removed or marked as invalid. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each memory region according to its specific needs rather than applying a uniform approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20260023690A1Application programming interface to disassociate a virtual address
Publication Date: 2026.01.22 NVIDIA CORP
  • US20260023690A1 patent drawing
  • US20260023690A1 patent drawing
  • US20260023690A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Apparatuses, systems, and techniques to manage memory arrays. In at least one embodiment an application programming interface (API) is performed to disassociate a virtual address indicated by the API from a corresponding physical address.