Shared Resource Arbitration via Buffer Status Prioritization

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Solution Overview

Problem

In multimedia data processing systems and heterogeneous multi-core parallel processing systems, bank conflicts occur when multiple master apparatuses simultaneously request access to a shared resource, leading to performance degradation due to stalled operations, especially in VLIW processors, and existing solutions increase physical area and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A shared resource access arbitration method that determines priorities of access requests using buffer status information, allowing high-priority requests to be granted, thereby preventing bank conflicts and stalls, and includes an access buffer to temporally separate requests.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple master apparatuses simultaneously access a shared resource apparatus, then system throughput increases, but bank conflicts occur causing performance degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem throughputVSAvoidperformance stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The arbitration method dynamically adjusts priority levels based on buffer status information. When a master apparatus's buffer approaches full capacity, its priority is automatically increased to ensure timely data egress, preventing stalls and maintaining system throughput while avoiding bank conflicts through adaptive resource allocation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where buffer status information is continuously monitored and fed back to the arbitration logic. This feedback enables the arbiter to make informed decisions about grant timing, adjusting priorities based on real-time buffer conditions to prevent both bank conflicts and performance degradation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If a master apparatus with ungranted access request stalls, then resource access conflicts are avoided, but system performance degrades

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource access controlVSAvoidsystem performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by monitoring buffer status before bank conflicts occur. By detecting when a master apparatus's buffer is nearly full, the arbitration logic proactively grants access requests in advance, preventing stalls before they happen and maintaining continuous system operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Priority levels are dynamically adjusted based on buffer status. Masters with buffers approaching full capacity receive elevated priorities, ensuring they gain access before stalls occur. This dynamic priority adjustment maintains both resource access control and system performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If physical separation of shared resource apparatus is implemented, then bank conflicts are prevented, but physical area and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebank conflict preventionVSAvoidphysical structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an arbitration apparatus as an intermediary between master apparatuses and the shared resource apparatus. This mediator manages access requests, determines priorities based on buffer status, and coordinates grants to prevent bank conflicts while maintaining a unified physical structure, avoiding the need for physical separation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of static physical separation, the system uses dynamic arbitration based on real-time buffer status. The arbitration logic adaptively manages access patterns, adjusting grant timing and priority based on buffer conditions, achieving bank conflict prevention through intelligent control rather than physical segmentation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10545898B2Shared resource access arbitration method, and shared resource access arbitration device and shared resource access arbitration system for performing same

Publication Date: 2020.01.28 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a shared resource access arbitration method of a shared resource access arbitration apparatus, the shared resource access arbitration method including: receiving, from at least one master apparatus, buffer status information related to a buffer included in the at least one master apparatus; determining, based on the received buffer status information, priorities of shared resource access requests received from a plurality of master apparatuses including the at least one master apparatus; and granting, according to the determined priorities of the shared resource access requests, one of the shared resource access requests having a high priority.