Multi-agent ring-buffer for precise data scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In data processing flows, it is challenging to accurately determine the amount of data between input and output stages, leading to unpredictable processing delays and resource misallocation, particularly in real-time systems where precise scheduling is critical.
Innovation Solution
A multi-agent ring-buffer system where agents communicate and process data samples within a ring-buffer structure, allowing for precise tracking and management of data samples, eliminating the need for multiple buffers and ensuring data synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If data queues are used to facilitate communication between components, then data storage and transfer are enabled, but it becomes difficult to determine exactly how much data is contained in the processing flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the ring-buffer continuously reports the exact number of data samples stored in its buffer to the scheduler. This feedback loop enables precise tracking of data amounts in the processing flow, allowing the system to make informed scheduling decisions based on real-time buffer status.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring-buffer acts as an intermediary component between the data source and processing components. It mediates data flow by providing a well-defined interface that reports buffer occupancy, thereby enabling accurate data amount determination without requiring complex tracking across multiple independent queues.
2Productivity
If individual processing agents use separate queues to process data, then each agent can operate independently, but the amount of data each agent has at its input becomes difficult to track
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple processing agents into a single multi-threaded processing component that operates on a shared ring-buffer. This consolidation allows centralized tracking of data amounts while maintaining high processing throughput through parallel thread execution, eliminating the need for separate queue management for each agent.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring-buffer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a data storage buffer, a synchronization mechanism, and a measurement tool that reports data amounts to the scheduler. This multi-functionality enables both high productivity and precise measurement without requiring separate mechanisms.
3Reliability
If multiple buffers are used to process data samples, then data can be managed at different stages, but the system requires complex buffer management and synchronization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ring-buffer into multiple partitions, where each partition can be independently managed and processed. This segmentation allows reliable data processing at different stages while maintaining a single unified buffer structure, thereby reducing the complexity of managing multiple separate buffers and their synchronization.
4Ease of operation
If sequential processing flow is used with data queues, then components can communicate easily, but real-time scheduling with predictable latency cannot be guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
The ring-buffer provides real-time feedback to the scheduler about the exact number of data samples available for processing. This feedback enables the scheduler to make informed decisions about when to process data, allowing for predictable latency by scheduling processing based on actual buffer occupancy rather than assumptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic scheduling where the processing rate and timing are adjusted based on real-time buffer status. The scheduler can dynamically allocate processing resources according to the actual data availability in the ring-buffer, thereby achieving predictable latency while maintaining ease of component communication.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments included herein generally relate to processing data samples. More particularly, embodiments relate to processing a plurality of data samples using a multi-agent ring-buffer and a plurality of agents configured to communicate with the ring-buffer to process each of the plurality of data samples.