Record Layout Detection for High-Speed Data Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Delimited data formats, such as CSV, pose challenges in processing due to their serial nature, leading to bottlenecks in throughput as software systems must analyze each byte to identify delimiters and shield characters, making high-speed format translation difficult.
Innovation Solution
The use of structured formats like fixed field or mapped variable field formats, facilitated by reconfigurable logic devices, allows downstream processing to directly access specific fields without analyzing all preceding bytes, and data translation pipelines break tasks into modular subtasks for accelerated processing across various platforms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If delimited data formats (CSV) are used for data transmission, then platform independence and simplicity are achieved, but processing throughput deteriorates due to serial byte-by-byte analysis requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data processing task into distinct phases: a detection phase that identifies record layouts using a limited number of records, and a processing phase that applies the detected layout to translate subsequent records. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high-speed processing by avoiding repeated layout detection for each record, thereby resolving the throughput bottleneck while maintaining delimited format advantages
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by detecting and caching the record layout specification before bulk data processing begins. The system analyzes a small sample of records to establish the layout model, then reuses this model for rapid translation of subsequent records. This preliminary layout detection eliminates the need for serial byte-by-byte analysis during main processing, significantly improving throughput while preserving platform independence
2Measurement precision
If software-based byte-by-byte analysis is used to identify delimiters and shield characters, then accurate data parsing is achieved, but processing speed deteriorates creating a throughput bottleneck
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the mechanical byte-by-byte analysis approach with a hardware-accelerated parallel processing system. The layout detection module uses parallel pattern matching algorithms that can simultaneously evaluate multiple potential delimiter and shield character positions, maintaining parsing accuracy while achieving substantial speedup over sequential software-based analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the processing parameters by transitioning from serial byte processing to parallel block processing. The system processes multiple bytes simultaneously using vectorized operations and parallel algorithms, changing the fundamental parameter of processing granularity from individual bytes to blocks of data, thereby maintaining accuracy while dramatically improving throughput
3Adaptability or versatility
If record layout detection is performed for each record, then adaptability to layout changes is achieved, but processing time deteriorates due to repeated analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs layout detection as a preliminary action before bulk processing, caching the detected layout specification for reuse. The system detects the record layout once using a sample of records, stores this layout model, and applies it to translate subsequent records without repeated detection, thereby minimizing processing time while maintaining adaptability through periodic re-detection when layout changes are suspected
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the detected record layout specification and reuses this copied layout model for processing subsequent records. Instead of re-detecting the layout for each record, the system copies the established layout parameters and applies them repeatedly, dramatically reducing processing time while maintaining adaptability by periodically updating the copied layout model when changes are detected
Data Source
AI summary
Various methods and apparatuses are described for performing high speed translations of data. In an example embodiment, record layout detection can be performed for data. In another example embodiment, data pivoting prior to field-specific data processing can be performed.