NOC Snoop Channel Data Forwarding Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

In large-scale network-on-chip (NOC) systems, data transmission between peer caches is inefficient, leading to increased power consumption, delay, and reduced bus bandwidth utilization, which affects system performance and stability.

Innovation Solution

A data processing method that includes sending snoop information through a snoop channel to acknowledge data storage status among master devices, optimizing data forwarding based on congestion levels and transmission path lengths, and using cache coherent nodes to maintain data coherence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If data is transmitted through traditional cache coherence protocols in large-scale NOC systems, then data transmission can be maintained, but transmission efficiency decreases, power consumption increases, and delay increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission efficiencyVSAvoidtransmission delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by sending snoop information to peer caches before actual data transmission to check if they have the required data. This advance checking allows the system to identify potential data sources in advance, enabling direct peer-to-peer data forwarding without going through the cache coherent node, thereby reducing transmission delay and improving efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces snoop information as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between the master device and peer caches. This intermediary carries data state information that enables peer caches to respond to data requests, facilitating efficient direct data forwarding while maintaining cache coherence through the cache coherent node when necessary

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If traditional cache coherence protocols are used, then data coherence can be maintained, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata coherenceVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the data forwarding function from the traditional cache coherence protocol path. By separating the data forwarding operation from the coherence maintenance path, the system enables direct peer-to-peer data transmission for valid data requests, avoiding unnecessary power consumption through the cache coherent node while maintaining coherence through selective use of snoop responses

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If data is forwarded through cache coherent nodes, then data coherence is maintained, but bus bandwidth utilization decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata coherenceVSAvoidbus bandwidth utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the data transmission path into two types: direct peer-to-peer forwarding for valid data and cache coherent node routing for coherence maintenance. This segmentation allows bandwidth-intensive data transfers to occur directly between peers without occupying the cache coherent node bandwidth, while coherence maintenance operations continue through the structured path, effectively separating bulk data transfer from control operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4647943A1Data processing method and apparatus, electronic device, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 HYGON INFORMATION TECH CO LTD
  • EP4647943A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4647943A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4647943A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a data processing method and apparatus, electronic device and storage medium. The data processing method includes: in response to receiving a first read request from a first master device to read first data, sending first snoop information for acknowledging whether a second master device has stored the first data to the second master device through a snoop channel, wherein the first snoop information has a field indicating that the second master device needs to respond to whether the second master device has stored the first data with respect to the first snoop information. In the method, optimization of data forward is implemented by supporting a response message (e.g., ack) to the snoop information sent by the snoop channel, taking into account factors such as power consumption, delay, and network congestion during the data forward process, thereby improving performance and efficiency of the system.