Hardware Prefetcher for Storage Device Memory Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Storage devices face challenges in improving cache hit rates and reducing latency due to random access patterns and limited computational resources, leading to underutilization of parallel processing capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an in-device hardware prefetcher that retrieves memory address information from a host, stores it in a buffer, and loads data from storage media to memory media based on this information, thereby enhancing cache population and reducing latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is loaded from storage media to memory media based on random access patterns, then cache hit rate is improved, but device complexity increases due to need for prefetching mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The hardware prefetcher performs preliminary actions by retrieving memory address information from the host before actual data access occurs. It stores these addresses in a buffer and proactively loads data from storage media to memory media in advance, so that when the host needs the data, it is already cached and ready for immediate access.
Solution Approach 2:
The prefetcher operates autonomously without requiring additional computational resources from the host CPU. It independently monitors host memory access patterns, manages its own buffer, and executes data loading operations, thereby serving the caching function without burdening the host's computational resources.
2Productivity
If parallel processing capabilities are increased to handle more memory operations, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to resource management overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments memory address information into individual addresses stored in a buffer, allowing each address to be processed independently. This segmentation enables parallel loading operations where multiple data blocks can be loaded simultaneously from storage media to memory media, increasing throughput without requiring complex centralized coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer acts as an intermediary structure between the host and the data loading mechanism. It stores memory address information in a structured format that enables efficient parallel processing, decoupling the host from the complexity of parallel resource management while still enabling high-speed concurrent data transfers.
3Productivity
If additional threads are added to the host to improve data loading, then productivity is improved, but CPU resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hardware prefetcher performs data loading operations autonomously without requiring additional host threads or CPU intervention. It independently retrieves memory address information, manages the address buffer, and executes data transfers from storage media to memory media, thereby achieving high data loading throughput while consuming minimal host CPU resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the software-based thread mechanism with a hardware-based prefetcher. Instead of using multiple CPU threads to manage data loading, the system uses dedicated hardware circuitry that operates in parallel with the host processor, substituting mechanical/software resource management with dedicated hardware functionality that consumes less overall system resources.
Data Source
AI summary
A device may include memory media; storage media; a buffer; and at least one circuit configured to perform one or more operations including receiving memory address information; storing the memory address information in the buffer; determining that data may be loaded to the memory media; and loading data to the memory media, from the storage media, corresponding to the memory address information in the buffer. In some aspects, the memory address information is first memory address information; the data is first data; and the at least one circuit is further configured to perform one or more operations including receiving a memory access request including second memory address information; determining to load second data based on the memory access request; and loading the second data to the memory media, from the storage media, based on the second memory address information.