Single-Level Page Tables for Lower-Latency Address Translation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtual memory systems face significant overhead and latency issues due to frequent page table walks, especially in multi-level page tables, which impact performance in systems like data centers and high-performance computing environments.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that dynamically determines whether a process uses a single-level or multi-level page table based on a register bit, using a system call to set the bit, and performing address translation accordingly, with single-level page tables for main processes and multi-level page tables for auxiliary processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multi-level page tables are used to manage virtual memory, then memory management capability is improved, but address translation overhead and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically selects between single-level and multi-level page tables based on process characteristics and memory access patterns. The system determines whether to use a single-level or multi-level page table on-demand, allowing flexible adaptation to different workload requirements. This dynamic selection mechanism enables the system to use simpler single-level page tables for processes with small address spaces or sequential access patterns, while resorting to multi-level page tables only when necessary for large address spaces with random access patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the structural parameter of the page table from fixed multi-level to variable (single-level or multi-level) based on specific conditions. By modifying the page table organization parameter dynamically according to process requirements, memory access patterns, and address space size, the system optimizes address translation performance. This parameter change allows the use of flatter, faster single-level page tables when multi-level structures are not necessary.
2Quantity of substance
If multi-level page tables are used to support large address spaces, then virtual memory capacity is improved, but system performance deteriorates due to frequent page table walks
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts page table structure based on actual memory usage patterns and address space requirements. Instead of always using multi-level page tables, the system can switch to single-level page tables when they suffice, reducing page table walk frequency. This dynamic adaptation maintains support for large virtual memory capacities when needed while improving performance when smaller or more sequential access patterns are used.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the page table organization parameter from fixed multi-level to variable structure. By modifying this parameter based on process characteristics, address space size, and access patterns, the system optimizes the balance between virtual memory capacity and translation performance. This allows the system to use simpler page table structures that require fewer walks while still supporting the necessary address space size.
3Speed
If single-level page tables are used for all processes, then address translation speed is improved, but memory overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different page table structures to different processes or address spaces based on their specific requirements. Instead of using a uniform single-level page table for all processes, the system selectively applies single-level page tables to processes where they are most beneficial (those with smaller address spaces or sequential access patterns) while using multi-level page tables for others. This localized application optimizes both speed and memory overhead for each specific case.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device and method with a single-level page table for obtaining physical addresses are disclosed. The operating method includes determining, in response to a process being executed, whether a mapping of a target physical address to a virtual address that the process is accessing is stored in a translation lookaside buffer (TLB); determining, in response to determining that the virtual address is not stored in the TLB, whether the process uses a single-level page table; and in response to determining that the process uses the single-level page table, obtaining the target physical address mapped to the virtual address based on accessing the single-level page table.