Memory Hazard Logic for Parallel Access Rule Checking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Programming and synchronization errors with respect to memory accesses in massively parallel and distributed systems lead to functionally incorrect and sub-optimal results, necessitating rapid detection and reporting of memory hazards.
Innovation Solution
A system-level memory hazard detection mechanism using hardware and software components, including hardened logic, programmable hardware, and memory access rules, monitors memory transactions to identify and notify of hazards such as read before write, double write, double read, N-reads before write, and N-writes errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If memory access monitoring is implemented in massively parallel and distributed systems, then memory hazard detection capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the memory hazard detection function into separate logic units distributed across different memory controllers or nodes. Each segment monitors specific memory address ranges or access patterns independently, allowing parallel detection without requiring a centralized complex monitoring system. This segmentation reduces overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary components such as memory hazard logic units that act as mediators between memory access operations and the main system logic. These intermediaries capture and analyze memory access transactions, applying detection rules without disrupting the primary memory operations. This intermediary layer isolates the complexity of hazard detection from the core system architecture.
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive memory access monitoring is performed, then detection accuracy is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring memory hazard detection rules and criteria before memory access operations begin. Detection patterns, address ranges, and hazard conditions are established in advance, allowing the monitoring logic to quickly evaluate incoming memory transactions against predefined criteria rather than analyzing each access from scratch. This significantly reduces per-access processing time while maintaining detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic action by sampling memory access transactions at specific intervals or based on predetermined conditions rather than continuously analyzing every single access. The monitoring logic periodically evaluates memory transactions against hazard rules, balancing detection comprehensiveness with processing efficiency. This periodic evaluation maintains detection accuracy for critical hazards while reducing overall processing overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for detecting memory hazards in memory, such as in massively parallel and distributed systems. In examples, a memory hazard logic detects access of a memory by a device communicatively coupled to the memory. The memory hazard logic identifies a memory access type and a memory address range being accessed, based on information obtained when monitoring a memory access transaction between the device and the memory. The memory hazard logic determines whether the memory access type on the memory address range is subject to memory access rules contained in a rules table. If so, the memory hazard logic determines whether the memory access type matches a memory access rule associated with each memory address in the memory address range. For each such memory address, the memory hazard logic notifies the device regarding a memory hazard triggered by the memory access transaction.