Dynamic Line Fill Buffer Identifier Reassignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing line fill techniques in data processing apparatuses face inefficiencies due to the long time required for line fill requests to complete, limiting the ability to initiate subsequent requests until previous data has been fully returned and allocated, which can lead to performance bottlenecks, especially during memory initialization.
Innovation Solution
The method involves associating line fill buffers with unique identifiers, allowing them to be reused for new requests before previous data has been fully returned, by switching to a new identifier when the buffer is filled before the response is completed, enabling simultaneous and early initiation of multiple line fill requests without data misallocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single line fill buffer is used to store data for line fill requests, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases because subsequent line fill requests must wait for previous requests to complete
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the line fill buffer's association with unique identifiers dynamic rather than static. The buffer can be reassigned to new identifiers once data is received, allowing the same physical buffer to serve multiple concurrent logical requests. This dynamic reassignment enables the system to handle multiple line fill requests simultaneously without requiring multiple physical buffers, thus improving productivity while maintaining low device complexity.
2Productivity
If multiple line fill buffers are provided to enable simultaneous line fill requests, then productivity improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single line fill buffer that can serve multiple functions and multiple logical requests simultaneously through dynamic identifier association. Instead of requiring dedicated buffers for each concurrent request, one buffer is made universal by allowing it to be associated with different unique identifiers at different times. This enables the buffer to handle multiple line fill requests in sequence without requiring multiple physical instances, thereby improving productivity while avoiding the complexity of managing multiple buffers.
3Reliability
If the line fill buffer waits for complete data return before allowing new requests, then data allocation reliability is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by allowing the line fill buffer to be reassigned to new unique identifiers and new line fill requests as soon as data is received, even before the original request is fully completed. The system performs the reassignment action in advance, before the previous request's data transfer is entirely finished. This preliminary reassignment reduces waiting time for subsequent requests while maintaining data allocation reliability through proper tracking of which buffer entries correspond to which requests.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies feedback by implementing a mechanism that tracks the status of data return for each unique identifier and uses this feedback to determine when buffer reassignment is safe. The system receives feedback about data arrival status and uses this information to control the timing of identifier reassignment, ensuring that data allocation reliability is maintained while minimizing unnecessary waiting time.
Data Source
AI summary
A line fill method, line fill unit and data processing apparatus are disclosed. The line fill method, comprises the steps of: a) associating a line fill buffer with a unique identifier; b) initiating a line fill request to provide said line fill buffer with line fill data, said line fill request having said unique identifier associated therewith; and c) in the event that said line fill buffer is filled with said line fill data prior to said line fill data having been returned in response to said line fill request, associating said line fill buffer with a different unique identifier to enable a subsequent line fill request to be initiated. By enabling the line fill buffer to be associated with different unique identifiers, the line fill buffer can initiate a new request despite the previous request not having been completed without there being any concern that the returned data may be misallocated. This enables multiple line fill requests to be simultaneously pending and subsequent line fill requests to be initiated whilst previous line fill requests are outstanding. Accordingly, subsequent line fill requests may be initiated earlier than would have been possible had the line fill buffer had to wait for all of the line fill data associated with each line fill request to be returned.