Shiftable Memory Defragmentation via Internal Data Relocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional memory systems face inefficiencies in memory defragmentation due to reliance on external processors, leading to high computational overhead and time proportional to the amount of data shifted, which can result in significant processing time and memory waste due to fragmentation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of shiftable memory with built-in data shifting capability allows for the physical translation of contiguous data subsets within the memory itself, eliminating the need for external processor involvement and reducing shifting time to a constant or near-constant basis, independent of data length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional memory systems use external processors for memory defragmentation, then memory defragmentation can be performed, but computational overhead and processing time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The memory system performs defragmentation autonomously using built-in control logic and data movement capabilities within the memory controller, eliminating the need for external processor intervention. The memory controller identifies fragmented regions and relocates data blocks internally without requiring CPU cycles or external processing resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The defragmentation function is extracted from the external processor and integrated directly into the memory controller. This separates the defragmentation operation from the main processing system, allowing it to execute independently using dedicated memory control resources rather than consuming processor time.
2Ease of operation
If external processors are used for memory defragmentation, then data can be shifted between memory locations, but the shifting time is proportional to the amount of data shifted
Solution Approach 1:
The memory controller performs data relocation operations autonomously using internal data buses and control logic. The system identifies fragmented data blocks and shifts them to contiguous locations using built-in memory control mechanisms, eliminating the need for external processor intervention and reducing operation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The memory controller continuously monitors memory allocation and identifies fragmentation conditions in advance. When fragmentation is detected, the controller initiates defragmentation operations proactively, shifting data blocks to optimal locations before they significantly impact system performance.
3Reliability
If conventional memory systems perform defragmentation, then memory fragmentation can be reduced, but computational overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The memory controller autonomously manages memory defragmentation using dedicated control logic and internal data movement paths. The system monitors its own state, identifies fragmentation, and executes relocation operations without external processor involvement, minimizing computational overhead and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The memory controller acts as an intermediary between the processor and memory array, handling defragmentation operations internally. This intermediary performs data block relocation using controlled signal paths and internal buses, reducing the computational burden on the external processor while maintaining memory allocation efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Shiftable memory that supports defragmentation includes a memory having built-in shifting capability, and a memory defragmenter to shift a page of data representing a contiguous subset of data stored in the memory from a first location to a second location within the memory to be adjacent to another page of stored data. A method of memory defragmentation includes defining an array in memory cells of the shiftable memory and performing a memory defragmentation using the built-in shifting capability of the shiftable memory to shift a data page stored in the array.