ML Model Partitioning Across Process Domains to Cut Memory Swaps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large machine learning models often exceed the memory capacity of individual process domains, leading to memory swap operations that degrade performance and introduce latencies due to memory thrashing.

Innovation Solution

The machine learning model is partitioned into subgraphs, each with defined inputs, outputs, and relationships, allowing the model to be instantiated across multiple process domains based on available memory, thereby minimizing memory swap overhead.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a large machine learning model is deployed to a single process domain, then the model can be executed as a unified entity, but the model exceeds the memory capacity of the process domain, leading to memory swap operations and performance degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodel execution integrityVSAvoidinference latency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The machine learning model is divided into multiple subgraphs, each representing a portion of the model. These subgraphs are then distributed across multiple process domains, allowing each process domain to handle a manageable portion of the model that fits within its memory capacity, thereby eliminating memory swap operations while maintaining overall model execution integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-process-domain execution model to a multi-process-domain execution model, adding the dimension of spatial distribution across multiple processes. This allows the model to be executed in parallel across multiple domains with coordinated memory management, reducing inference latency while maintaining execution integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If a large machine learning model is deployed to a single process domain, then the model structure remains simple to manage, but memory thrashing occurs due to exceeding memory capacity, degrading performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodel deployment structureVSAvoidcomputational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The model is segmented into subgraphs that can be independently managed and deployed across multiple process domains. Each subgraph is a self-contained unit with defined inputs and outputs, making it manageable despite the increased overall system complexity. This segmentation enables efficient parallel execution and memory management across domains

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal framework for deploying machine learning models across multiple process domains with different memory capacities. The graph-based representation and coordinated instantiation mechanism provide a multi-functional solution that can adapt to various deployment scenarios, from single-domain to multi-domain configurations, optimizing computational efficiency for each case

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Quantity of substance

If memory swap operations are used to handle large models, then the model can be executed beyond available memory, but memory swap overhead increases and performance degrades

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodel sizeVSAvoidmemory swap overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the model into subgraphs and distributing them across multiple process domains with sufficient combined memory capacity, the system eliminates the need for memory swap operations. Each process domain maintains its subgraphs in memory without swapping, thereby reducing memory swap overhead and energy loss while supporting large model sizes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary coordination mechanism that manages the instantiation and execution of subgraphs across multiple process domains. This intermediary layer coordinates memory usage and data flow between domains, enabling efficient handling of large models without relying on memory swap operations, thus reducing the associated energy overhead

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250148769A1Efficient execution of machine learning models using partitioning
Publication Date: 2025.05.08 QUALCOMM INC
  • US20250148769A1 patent drawing
  • US20250148769A1 patent drawing
  • US20250148769A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Certain aspects provide techniques and apparatuses for efficient operation of a machine learning model based on partitioning the machine learning model. An example method generally includes receiving a graph for a machine learning model. The graph for the machine learning model generally includes a plurality of subgraphs representing different portions of the machine learning model. The machine learning model is instantiated across a plurality of process domains associated with a same application based on the plurality of subgraphs in the graph for the machine learning model. An inference is generated based on executing the machine learning model across the plurality of process domains, and one or more actions are taken based on the generated inference.