Low-Overhead Page Recompression with Independent Frames
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory systems require computationally intensive recompression of pages before transferring them from cache to main memory, which slows down data processing operations.
Innovation Solution
A memory buffer IC device that independently compresses or decompresses equally sized portions of a page, allowing for low-overhead recompression and storage in memory with expansion spaces between frames, enabling efficient management of compressed and uncompressed data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If computationally intensive recompression algorithm (Zstd) is used before transferring page from cache to main memory, then data compression ratio is improved, but data processing speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a memory page into multiple frames (e.g., 4KB page into four 1KB frames). Each frame can be independently compressed or decompressed, allowing selective processing of only modified frames rather than the entire page. This segmentation reduces the computational overhead of recompression while maintaining effective space utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial recompression by identifying and processing only the dirty (modified) frames within a page rather than recompressing the entire page. The buffer device tracks which frames have been modified and performs compression operations only on those specific frames, reducing unnecessary computational work and improving overall system performance.
2Quantity of substance
If entire page is recompressed before cache transfer, then storage space efficiency is improved, but time overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the page into multiple independently compressible frames, allowing the system to compress only the necessary portions (dirty frames) rather than the entire page. This reduces the time overhead for recompression operations while maintaining storage space efficiency through selective compression of modified data.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer device maintains tracking information about which frames have been modified (dirty bit tracking) before cache transfer operations. This preliminary tracking allows the system to identify exactly which frames require recompression, avoiding unnecessary compression operations on unchanged frames and reducing overall time overhead.
3Productivity
If frame-level independent compression is implemented, then cache utilization efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides pages into frames with independent compression status, allowing fine-grained control over cache contents. This enables more efficient cache utilization by maintaining compressed and uncompressed frames within the same page based on their modification state, improving space utilization without requiring complete page-level operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer device is designed to handle multiple operations (compression, decompression, frame tracking, selective transfer) within a single integrated structure. This multi-functional design achieves improved cache utilization while consolidating complexity into a unified buffer device rather than requiring separate specialized components.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for low page overhead recompression. In one embodiment a memory buffer integrated circuit (IC) device is disclosed that includes a first circuit configured to independently compress equally sized portions of a page of data, and a second circuit configured to store the compressed data portions at respective addresses in memory. The memory buffer IC device also includes a third circuit configured to store a page table comprising an entry with information related to the respective memory addresses.