Numerical Controller Block Prefetching for Timing Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Numerical controllers with prefetch functions often experience issues due to unnecessary prefetching, leading to incorrect execution results and load concentration at program start times, especially with large buffer sizes, causing temporal gaps between prefetching and execution timing.
Innovation Solution
A numerical controller with a prefetch sufficiency determination section and analysis section that dynamically determines the required number of blocks to prefetch based on the state of the running program, ensuring only necessary blocks are prefetched and analyzed, thereby minimizing unnecessary prefetching and load concentration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If continuous prefetching is performed to improve processing efficiency, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to temporal gaps between prefetching and execution timing
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the prefetching process based on real-time buffer status and program characteristics. The prefetching is not continuous but adaptive, modifying its behavior according to the current state of the execution buffer and the specific requirements of the program being processed, thereby maintaining both efficiency and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The determination section continuously monitors the prefetch buffer status and provides feedback to control the prefetching process. This feedback mechanism ensures that prefetching operations are synchronized with execution timing, preventing temporal gaps that would compromise manufacturing precision while maintaining high productivity.
2Productivity
If large buffer size is used to increase prefetching capacity, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to increased temporal gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically manages the buffer by determining when prefetching should continue and when it should stop, rather than using a fixed large buffer size. This dynamic approach allows the buffer to be optimally sized for each specific prefetching operation, maintaining timing accuracy while preserving the productivity benefits of prefetching capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the buffer based on the determination results. Instead of using a static large buffer size, the buffer utilization is dynamically adjusted according to the specific program characteristics and execution requirements, thereby maintaining both high capacity and precise timing.
3Productivity
If prefetching is performed without determination to improve productivity, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to incorrect execution results
Solution Approach 1:
The determination section performs preliminary assessment before executing prefetching operations. This preliminary action identifies suitable candidates for prefetching and determines optimal prefetching points, ensuring that only appropriate blocks are prefetched. This prevents incorrect execution results while maintaining high processing speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-determination about which blocks to prefetch and when to stop prefetching. The determination section autonomously evaluates program characteristics and buffer status to make intelligent decisions, ensuring both high productivity and execution reliability without external intervention.
4Productivity
If prefetching is performed without determination to improve productivity, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to load concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically controls the prefetching process based on real-time system state and program characteristics. By determining when to prefetch and when to stop, the system distributes processing load more evenly over time, avoiding the concentration of load that would occur with continuous unconditional prefetching, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A numerical controller determines whether or not block prefetching from a program is sufficient based on whether at least one block subsequent to a predetermined reference block, which exists after a running block of the program and is needed to execute the reference block, has been prefetched or not. If the determination result is that prefetching is not sufficient, block prefetching from the program is performed.