Presetting Memory Protection Keys in Dedicated Memory

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing memory management model does not provide exclusive use of memory areas that can persist until program completion, leading to increased processor cycles during memory allocation and potential performance penalties for programs with real-time constraints.

Innovation Solution

Presetting the memory protection key in dedicated memory by assigning units of dedicated memory to a program based on configuration information and setting the memory protection key for each frame in these units before program execution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If memory protection key is set at the time of memory allocation, then memory protection is ensured, but the number of processor cycles consumed by memory allocation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory protectionVSAvoidprocessor cycles for memory allocation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The memory protection key is set in advance during dedicated memory assignment, before the program actually needs the memory. This preliminary action allows the key to be pre-configured so that when memory is allocated during program execution, the protection key is already in place, eliminating the need for additional processor cycles during runtime memory allocation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If real memory is used to back virtual memory with sharing among applications, then memory utilization efficiency is improved, but memory protection and exclusive access are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory utilization efficiencyVSAvoidmemory protection

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The memory is segmented into dedicated memory regions that are assigned exclusively to specific programs. This segmentation ensures that each program has its own protected memory space, preventing interference between applications while maintaining efficient memory utilization through dedicated assignment rather than shared pooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If dedicated memory is assigned to a program, then exclusive memory use until program completion is ensured, but memory allocation flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexclusive memory useVSAvoidmemory allocation flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The dedicated memory assignment is performed in advance based on program configuration information, establishing exclusive memory rights before execution. This preliminary assignment ensures memory exclusivity throughout the program's runtime without requiring continuous flexibility during operation, as the memory is pre-allocated and protected.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250190374A1Presetting the memory protection key in dedicated memory

Publication Date: 2025.06.12 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

Presetting the memory protection key in dedicated memory is disclosed, including assigning, by a memory manager to a program, based on configuration information, one or more units of dedicated memory from a pool of dedicated memory, wherein the one or more units of dedicated memory is reserved for the program until program completion; and setting, by the memory manager based on the configuration information, a memory protection key for each frame in the one or more units of dedicated memory assigned to the program.