Memory Trace Data Collection for Low-Latency Address Mapping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory systems face inefficiencies in tracking physical memory addresses, leading to undesirable latencies and resource consumption due to software-based address translation, and the challenge of managing memory access patterns for improved performance.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a hardware-based solution in memory devices to collect and store trace data, including physical memory addresses, in a private volatile memory portion, allowing direct access by the host for real-time management decisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If software-based address translation is used, then flexibility and programmability are improved, but latency and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the memory system into distinct components: a hardware address translation unit separate from the main memory controller, and a dedicated trace data collection module. This segmentation allows address translation to occur in parallel with memory operations, reducing latency while maintaining flexibility through independent optimization of each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hardware-based address translation unit as an intermediary between the software and the memory subsystem. This intermediary performs address translation in hardware, eliminating the need for software intervention in every address translation operation, thereby reducing latency while preserving the ability of software to configure and manage the translation process.
2Loss of time
If hardware-based address translation is implemented, then latency is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the address translation unit with the memory controller in a unified hardware structure. This integration allows shared resources and coordinated operation, reducing the overall complexity that would arise from completely separate hardware components while still achieving low-latency address translation through hardware acceleration.
Solution Approach 2:
The hardware address translation unit is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as an address translation engine and as a trace data collection point. This universal component handles multiple tasks within the memory subsystem, reducing the need for additional dedicated hardware and thereby managing device complexity while providing hardware-based translation capabilities.
3Speed
If trace data is collected in volatile memory, then access speed is improved, but data loss risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by continuously collecting and storing trace data in volatile memory during normal operation. The system proactively maintains this data ready for immediate access, and only when power is lost or a failure occurs does the data loss risk materialize. This approach maximizes access speed during operation while acknowledging the inherent risk of volatile storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates copies of critical trace data and stores them in multiple locations within the volatile memory subsystem, including backup buffers and redundant storage areas. This copying strategy allows the system to maintain fast access to primary data while having fallback copies available, thereby improving access speed while mitigating the risk of complete data loss through redundancy.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for collecting trace data via a memory device are disclosed. One method may include receiving, by the memory device, a command from a computing device; identifying, by the memory device, first data associated with the command; storing, by the memory device, the first data in a first portion of volatile memory of the memory device for reading by the computing device; and accessing, by the memory device, a second portion of the volatile memory, wherein the second portion of the volatile memory is configured to store a copy of second data stored in a non-volatile memory of the memory device.