Latency Control via Dummy Data Injection in Processing Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for measuring and addressing latency in complex data processing networks are reactionary, intrusive, and unable to perform real-time analysis due to the enormous volume of data, leading to delayed processing and potential errors, with existing solutions only capable of 'damage limitation' after latency issues arise.
Innovation Solution
A control system that injects dummy data records into the data processing unit at regular intervals, allowing for real-time latency measurement and feedback-driven adjustments, reducing the processing burden by analyzing only these records, and pinpointing latency issues within specific subsets of processing modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If real-time latency measurement and analysis of all data records is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data record population into two distinct groups: dummy data records (injected at controlled intervals) and real data records (from data providers). By analyzing only the dummy records for latency measurement, the system achieves precise latency monitoring without the computational burden of analyzing all records, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and processing time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates dummy data records that replicate the format and processing path of real data records without containing actual data. These copies serve as proxies for latency measurement, allowing the system to obtain accurate latency information while avoiding the time-consuming analysis of voluminous real data records
2Reliability
If comprehensive latency analysis of all data records is performed, then reliability of latency detection is improved, but storage requirements increase enormously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary latency information from a minimal subset of dummy data records, rather than storing and analyzing all data records. The system extracts timing information from injected dummy records and discards the rest, achieving reliable latency detection with minimal storage requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the data record set to identify and analyze only dummy records for latency purposes, separating the measurement function from the data processing function. This segmentation allows reliable latency detection to be performed on a tiny fraction of total records, dramatically reducing storage needs
3Measurement precision
If dummy data records are injected at high frequency, then latency measurement accuracy is improved, but processing load on the data processing unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by injecting dummy data records at a frequency that is sufficient for accurate latency measurement but intentionally lower than the frequency of real data records. This partial injection strategy maintains measurement accuracy while avoiding excessive processing load, as the dummy records represent only a small fraction of total processing volume
Data Source
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AI summary
A control system for controlling the operation of a data processing unit, the data processing unit receiving a first plurality of input streams of data records from different data providers and comprising a group of interconnected processing modules through which the input streams pass to generate a second plurality of output streams of processed data records, wherein the first and second pluralities are different, is described. The control system comprises: an input control module for inputting each of the received input streams into the data processing unit, each input stream having a remotely-defined data format which is associated with a specific subset of the processing modules of the data processing unit, the input control module comprising: a dummy record generator for generating dummy data records to insert into the input streams; the dummy record generator being arranged to generate dummy data records with a known identifier in an immutable data field of the data record and having a format selected from one of the remotely-defined data formats; and a data stream injection module for injecting the first plurality of input streams into the data processing unit, wherein the data stream injection module is arranged to interleave a uniquely identifiable dummy record into the data records of the one of the first plurality of input streams having the same remotely-defined format as the dummy record and to repeat the interleaving of further dummy records at regular predetermined time intervals as determined by a reference clock; a data record filter for reading the immutable data field of each data record in each output stream and for identifying and separating dummy records out of the output streams which have the known identifier in the immutable data field; a latency analysis module arranged to: receive dummy data records from the data record filter; determine a current latency value of the dummy data record through the data processing unit using knowledge of when the dummy data record was interleaved into the input data stream and the time of receipt of the dummy data record using the reference clock; compare the current latency value with a previously determined latency value of a previous dummy data record to determined if there is a significant change in the latency value; use the format of the dummy record to determine which subset of processing modules of the data processing unit the latency concerns; and determine and output an appropriate feedback command for the input control module to take action to address the significant change in latency detected; wherein the input control module comprises a control processor arranged to receive the feedback command from the latency analysis module and to regulate the flow of data input streams in accordance with the feedback command.