Region Mismatch Prediction for Memory Access Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data processing systems face inefficiencies in memory access control due to frequent lookups of memory access control attributes, which consume significant power, especially since most memory access requests encounter region mismatch conditions, leading to redundant comparisons and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating region mismatch prediction circuitry to predict which comparison circuitry will detect a region mismatch condition, allowing for the disabling of unnecessary comparison circuitry and reducing power consumption by selectively enabling only the necessary sets of comparison circuitry for memory access requests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sets of comparison circuitry are used to detect region mismatch conditions, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy worsens due to redundant comparisons
Solution Approach 1:
The region mismatch prediction circuitry performs a preliminary prediction before the actual comparison operation. It predicts which sets of comparison circuitry will detect a region mismatch condition based on previous access patterns, allowing the system to pre-disable unnecessary comparison circuits before they consume power, thus resolving the contradiction between detection accuracy and energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of comparison circuitry sets based on runtime predictions. The comparison disabling circuitry enables or disables specific sets of comparison circuitry on-the-fly according to the region mismatch prediction, making the system adaptive rather than static, thereby optimizing energy usage while maintaining detection precision when needed
2Reliability
If all sets of comparison circuitry remain enabled, then reliability is improved, but use of energy worsens due to continuous operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the region mismatch prediction circuitry continuously monitors access patterns and adjusts the enabling state of comparison circuitry sets accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that comparison circuits are disabled only when predictions indicate no region mismatch will occur, maintaining reliability while reducing energy consumption during normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The memory access control circuitry serves itself by using its own operational data (access patterns, region information) to make predictions about its future state. The region mismatch prediction circuitry uses information from previous accesses to autonomously determine which comparison circuits should be enabled or disabled, eliminating the need for external control while optimizing energy usage
Data Source
AI summary
Memory access control circuitry controls handling of a memory access request based on at least one memory access control attribute associated with a region of address space including the target address. The memory access control circuitry comprises: lookup circuitry comprising a plurality of sets of comparison circuitry, each set of comparison circuitry to detect, based on at least one address-region-indicating parameter associated with a corresponding region of address space, whether the target address is within the corresponding region of address space; region mismatch prediction circuitry to provide a region mismatch prediction indicative of which of the sets of comparison circuitry is predicted to detect a region mismatch condition; and comparison disabling circuitry to disable at least one of the sets of comparison circuitry that is predicted by the region mismatch prediction circuitry to detect the region mismatch condition for the target address.