PCIe Switch Doorbell Register for Cloud Gaming Data Retrieval

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cloud gaming systems face challenges in efficiently exchanging data between cloud compute systems and cloud storage systems within a rack, leading to potential delays and performance issues due to the limitations of existing data exchange infrastructure, which cannot keep up with the high data demands of cloud compute systems.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a PCIe fabric to connect multiple cloud compute systems to a shared cloud storage system, utilizing PCIe switching to enable direct storage of game content in computer memory and leveraging storage class memory for high-speed data access, allowing for efficient data transfer and reduced latency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If existing data exchange infrastructure is used to connect cloud compute systems and cloud storage systems, then system complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but data transfer speed and productivity deteriorate due to inability to keep up with high data demands

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transfer speedVSAvoiddata exchange infrastructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A PCIe switch is introduced as an intermediary device to manage data exchange between multiple cloud compute systems and cloud storage systems. The PCIe switch handles address translation and data routing, enabling high-speed data transfer while maintaining system modularity and ease of implementation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The PCIe fabric provides a universal high-speed data exchange infrastructure that can handle multiple types of data transfers between different compute and storage systems. This multi-functional approach enables simultaneous data operations across multiple systems without requiring separate dedicated infrastructure for each connection.

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

2Speed

If PCIe fabric with switching is implemented to enable direct storage access, then data transfer speed and productivity improve, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata access speedVSAvoidsystem implementation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into modular components including PCIe switches, cloud compute systems, and cloud storage systems. Each component can be independently manufactured, tested, and deployed. The PCIe switch acts as a standalone address translation device that can be integrated without redesigning the entire system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The PCIe switch serves as an intermediary that handles the complex address translation and data routing functions, allowing the cloud compute and storage systems to maintain their existing architectures while achieving high-speed direct access through the standardized PCIe interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If multiple cloud compute systems access shared cloud storage simultaneously, then productivity and resource utilization improve, but data exchange efficiency deteriorates due to infrastructure limitations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoiddata exchange delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The PCIe switch acts as a mediator that manages simultaneous access requests from multiple cloud compute systems to the shared cloud storage system. It performs address translation and data routing for multiple systems concurrently, eliminating the bottlenecks of previous infrastructure and enabling efficient parallel data operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The PCIe fabric provides a universal high-speed data pathway that can handle multiple simultaneous data transfer operations between different compute and storage systems. This multi-functional capability allows the system to support concurrent access from multiple cloud compute systems without performance degradation.

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

Data Source

PatentUS12145056B2Methods implementing doorbell register/file identification table with high-speed data communication fabric for cloud gaming data storage and retrieval
Publication Date: 2024.11.19 SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT LLC
  • US12145056B2 patent drawing
  • US12145056B2 patent drawing
  • US12145056B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method is disclosed for requesting data in a cloud gaming system that includes a cloud storage system and a cloud compute system, each of which has a respective peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) interface and a respective computer memory. The cloud gaming system includes a PCIe switch connected to both the PCIe interface of the cloud storage system and the PCIe interface of the cloud compute system. The PCIe switch exposes a doorbell register that is monitored by the cloud storage system. The cloud compute system writes to the doorbell register, which causes an interrupt to fire on the cloud storage system. The cloud storage system handles the interrupt, which directs the cloud storage system to read a message from a specified computer memory location. The message directs the cloud storage system to read requested data from a storage device accessible by the cloud storage system.