Multi-Port Memory Controller Bandwidth Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-port memory systems are unsuitable for applications requiring reduced power consumption, as they cannot operate devices at different clock frequencies, leading to underservicing of higher-bandwidth ports by lower-bandwidth ports.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where a memory controller regulates the issuance of read requests by memory ports based on their respective attributes, allowing independent adjustment of clock frequencies and other parameters to configure power consumption and reduce underservicing of higher-bandwidth ports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If all memory ports operate at the same clock frequency to avoid underservicing, then higher-bandwidth ports are overserviced and power consumption increases, but lower-bandwidth ports can operate efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by allowing each memory port to operate at different clock frequencies based on its bandwidth requirements. The memory controller dynamically adjusts the clock frequency parameter for each port individually, so that higher-bandwidth ports receive higher frequencies while lower-bandwidth ports use lower frequencies, thereby optimizing both productivity and power consumption without underservicing any port
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamics by making the clock frequency of each memory port adjustable and adaptable rather than fixed. The memory controller can dynamically change the operating parameters of each port based on real-time bandwidth requirements, enabling the system to respond to varying workload demands while maintaining optimal power efficiency
2Speed
If lower-bandwidth ports operate at high clock frequencies, then they can keep up with data transfer, but higher-bandwidth ports are underserviced and wait for buffer drainage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different clock frequencies to different memory ports based on their specific bandwidth requirements. Each port receives a localized, customized frequency setting rather than a uniform system-wide frequency, ensuring that each port operates at the optimal speed for its particular workload and bandwidth capacity, preventing both underservicing and overservicing
3Reliability
If a shared memory is used to temporarily store data when a buffer is full, then data loss is prevented, but lower-bandwidth ports can occupy shared memory and cause higher-bandwidth ports to be underserviced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary arbitration mechanism in the memory controller that mediates access to the shared memory between multiple ports. This intermediary controls and regulates which port can access the shared memory at any given time, preventing lower-bandwidth ports from monopolizing the shared memory and ensuring that higher-bandwidth ports receive timely access, thereby maintaining both reliability and productivity
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for operating a multi-port memory system are disclosed. A memory controller may service read requests by accessing requested data from an external memory and communicating it to the requesting memory ports for access by devices coupled to the memory ports. A shared memory of the memory controller may be used to temporarily store data if a buffer associated with a requesting device is full. To reduce the ability for a slower memory port to occupy the shared memory and cause faster memory ports to be underserviced, the memory controller may advantageously regulate or limit issuance of read requests by memory ports operating at slower clock frequencies. The memory ports may be regulated independently of one another based on at least one respective attribute of each memory port, at least one attribute of the external memory, etc.