Memory Overlap Detection Using Composite Address XOR Logic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computing devices face significant circuitry and power consumption challenges when detecting overlap between multiple memory addresses, requiring extensive circuitry for efficient overlap determination, especially for large numbers of addresses.
Innovation Solution
A comparison mechanism that generates a composite address through an exclusive-OR operation of two addresses and uses upper and lower subsets of bits to determine overlap, reducing the need for complex circuitry by performing logical and combinatorial operations to assess overlap conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If subtraction and comparison operations are performed using only a lower subset of address bits, then the number of circuits required is reduced, but the accuracy of overlap detection is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the address comparison task into two independent parts: upper bit comparison and lower bit comparison. The upper bits determine whether addresses are in the same memory region, while the lower bits determine if there is actual overlap within that region. This segmentation allows each part to use minimal circuitry while maintaining overall detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension to the comparison process by separating address bits into upper and lower subsets. Instead of comparing all bits uniformly, the invention adds a hierarchical dimension where upper bits provide coarse-grained region identification and lower bits provide fine-grained overlap detection, reducing the circuit complexity required for each level.
2Reliability
If overlap detection is performed for a large number of addresses simultaneously, then comprehensive overlap detection is achieved, but the amount of circuitry required becomes prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation to scale the comparison mechanism to handle multiple addresses efficiently. By dividing the comparison into upper and lower bit operations, the system can simultaneously compare many addresses using a manageable number of circuits, where the upper bit comparisons filter candidates and the lower bit comparisons confirm overlaps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a two-stage comparison process where not all address pairs require full comparison. The upper bit comparison first identifies which address pairs are in the same memory region, and only those pairs proceed to lower bit comparison. This partial action approach reduces the total number of comparisons needed while maintaining detection completeness.
3Measurement precision
If extensive circuitry is used for address comparison, then accurate overlap detection is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power-consuming comparison operation into two lighter sub-operations: upper bit comparison and lower bit comparison. Each segment requires fewer logical operations and thus consumes less power, while together they achieve the same accuracy as a full comparison would provide.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent avoids performing full address comparisons for all address pairs by using the upper bit comparison as a filter. Only address pairs that pass the upper bit test undergo the more power-intensive lower bit comparison, reducing total power consumption while maintaining detection accuracy for overlapping regions.
Data Source
AI summary
The described embodiments determine if two addressed memory regions overlap. First, a first address for a first memory region and a second address for a second memory region are received. Then a composite address is generated from the first and second addresses. Next, an upper subset and a lower subset of the bits in the addresses are determined. Then, using the upper and lower subsets of the addresses, a determination is made whether the addresses meet a condition from a set of conditions. If so, a determination is made whether the lower subset of the bits in the addresses meet a criteria from a set of criteria. Based on the determination whether the lower subset of the bits in the addresses meet a criteria, a determination is made whether the memory regions overlap or do not overlap.