Shared Buffer Addressing for Priority Queue Capacity Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing buffering devices face large buffer capacity requirements due to the need for multiple queue buffers based on priority levels, leading to excessive storage capacity for transmission commands.
Innovation Solution
A buffering device manages information on write and read numbers for each grouping criterion, including priority, and holds data units in a common holding unit, forming addresses based on these numbers to reduce buffer capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple queue buffers are provided for each destination port according to priority levels, then priority-based frame transmission is enabled, but the buffer capacity becomes excessively large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple priority-based queue buffers into a single shared buffer memory. Instead of providing separate queue buffers for each priority level (8 queues per destination port), the invention uses one common buffer where transmission commands from different priorities are stored together, significantly reducing the total buffer capacity requirement while maintaining priority transmission capability through software-based priority management
Solution Approach 2:
The single shared buffer is designed to serve multiple priority levels simultaneously. The buffer structure and control logic are made universal to handle transmission commands for any priority level (0-7) and any destination port, replacing the need for dedicated buffers for each combination of priority and destination port
2Adaptability or versatility
If eight queue buffers are allocated per destination port for eight priority levels, then all priority levels can be supported, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines eight separate queue buffer structures into a single unified buffer memory with priority-based address management. The control unit implements logical separation of priorities through address calculation and management logic, eliminating the need for eight physically separate queue buffers per destination port and thereby reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The single shared buffer is logically segmented into regions for different priority levels through address management. The control unit divides the buffer space virtually into eight priority segments, allowing each priority level to access its designated region without requiring physical separation, thus maintaining priority functionality while simplifying the physical structure
Data Source
AI summary
By a buffering device, a first holding unit holds a write number value and a read number value for each of a plurality of grouping criteria. The grouping criteria include a priority of data units as one grouping parameter. A second holding unit holds a plurality of transmission commands. The plurality of transmission commands correspond to any of the plurality of grouping criteria. A control unit forms a “holding address” for causing the second holding unit to hold the written transmission commands in the second holding unit based on the write number value for the grouping criteria corresponding to the written transmission commands. The control unit forms an “output address” of the second holding unit, in which the read transmission commands are held, based on the information on the read number value for the grouping criteria corresponding to the read transmission commands.