Network Memory Bank Segmentation for High Data Rates
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current network devices face challenges in managing high data rates and capacities without increasing the number of access ports or using high-cost, high-power semiconductor technologies, leading to elevated costs and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A memory system for network devices is implemented using a distributed-linked list architecture that includes a main memory, link memory, free-entry manager, and context manager, allowing for efficient data management with single-port memory and lower operating frequencies, thereby reducing costs and power consumption while maintaining performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of access ports of memory is increased to meet high data rate demands, then the data handling capacity of network devices is improved, but the cost and power consumption are significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the memory system into multiple banks (first bank, second bank, third bank, fourth bank) that can be accessed independently. This segmentation allows parallel access to different memory banks, effectively increasing the data handling capacity without requiring a single high-speed access port, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining productivity.
2Productivity
If the clock speed of memory is increased to meet high data rate demands, then the data handling capacity of network devices is improved, but the cost and power consumption are significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The memory system is divided into multiple banks that can operate in parallel. This allows the system to achieve high data handling capacity through parallelism rather than increasing the clock speed of a single memory access path, thereby maintaining productivity while reducing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimensional approach (increasing clock speed) to a multi-dimensional approach by introducing multiple memory banks that can be accessed simultaneously. This dimensional change enables high data handling capacity through parallel access paths rather than relying on high-frequency operation, reducing power consumption while maintaining productivity.
3Productivity
If the number of access ports of memory is increased to meet high data rate demands, then the data handling capacity of network devices is improved, but the cost is significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The memory system is segmented into multiple banks that can be accessed through a single access port. This segmentation enables high data handling capacity through parallel access to different banks, achieving the same effect as multiple access ports but with reduced complexity and lower cost.
4Productivity
If state of the art semiconductor technologies are used to increase memory operating frequency, then the data handling capacity of network devices is improved, but the cost and power consumption are significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses segmentation of memory into multiple banks to achieve high data handling capacity without relying on state-of-the-art semiconductor technologies for high-frequency operation. This approach reduces both cost and complexity while maintaining productivity through parallel access to multiple memory banks.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory system for a network device is described. The memory system includes a main memory configured to store one or more data elements. Further, the memory system includes a link memory that is configured to maintain one or more pointers to interconnect the one or more data elements stored in the main memory. The memory system also includes a free-entry manager that is configured to generate an available bank set including one or more locations in the link memory. In addition, the memory system includes a context manager that is configured to maintain metadata for a list of the one or more data elements.