Smart Prefetch Buffer for Sequential Address Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data prefetching techniques in computer systems can degrade read performance if memory locations are not sequential or if multiple host devices access different memory address spaces, leading to inefficiencies in prefetch operations.
Innovation Solution
A smart prefetch buffer with logic to decide when to grant or ignore prefetch requests, based on the continuity of memory addresses and the access patterns of host devices, to optimize system performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If data prefetching is performed from slower memory to faster memory, then read latency is reduced and bandwidth is improved, but read performance degrades if memory locations are not in sequential order or if multiple host devices access different address spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of prefetching behavior from unconditional to conditional based on address continuity detection. The system monitors address sequences and dynamically adjusts prefetching operations - enabling them when addresses are sequential and disabling them when addresses are non-sequential or from different host devices, thus resolving the contradiction between reducing latency and maintaining read performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system monitors memory access patterns and address sequences from multiple host devices. Based on this feedback about address continuity and host device identity, the system dynamically controls prefetch buffer operations, granting or ignoring prefetch requests to optimize both latency and overall read performance
2Power
If prefetch operations are performed for all read requests, then bandwidth utilization is improved, but system performance degrades when multiple host devices access different address spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by treating different host devices and address spaces differently. The system identifies the source host device and the address space being accessed, and applies prefetching selectively - enabling it for certain host devices accessing sequential addresses while disabling it for others accessing non-sequential or different address spaces, thus optimizing both bandwidth utilization and system performance
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A memory device includes a memory array and a memory controller operatively coupled to the memory array. The memory array includes memory cells to store memory data. The memory controller includes a prefetch buffer, a read address buffer including memory registers to store addresses of memory read requests received from at least one separate device, and logic circuitry. The logic circuitry is configured to store extra read data in the prefetch buffer when an address of a read request is a continuous address of an address stored in the read address buffer, and omit prefetching the extra data when the address of the read request is a noncontinuous address of an address stored in the read address buffer.