Automatic Synchronous to Asynchronous Data Transfer Conversion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current networking technologies in communications environments face inefficiencies when transferring data between isolated memory spaces, particularly due to synchronous data transfers that lead to increased latency and CPU overhead when the receiver cannot keep up with the sender, causing potential data retransmissions and blocking of further transmissions.

Innovation Solution

The system automatically converts synchronous data transfers to asynchronous transfers when the receiver is delayed, allowing the sender to queue data until empty buffers are available, using control structures like QDIO asynchronous operation blocks and completion queues to manage data transfers without requiring sender intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If synchronous data transfer is used, then data transfer reliability is ensured, but CPU overhead increases and latency increases when receiver cannot keep up with sender

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transfer reliabilityVSAvoiddata transfer latency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between synchronous and asynchronous transfer modes based on receiver buffer status. When the receiver cannot keep up with the sender, the system automatically transitions from synchronous to asynchronous mode, allowing the sender to continue operations without suspension. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability through synchronous transfer when possible while reducing latency through asynchronous transfer when the receiver is delayed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameter of data transfer mode from fixed synchronous to variable (synchronous/asynchronous). By monitoring receiver buffer status and adjusting the transfer mode accordingly, the system optimizes both reliability and latency performance based on real-time conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If synchronous data transfer is used, then data transfer completeness is ensured, but CPU overhead increases due to sender suspension

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transfer completenessVSAvoidCPU overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the transfer mode based on receiver capability. When the receiver is delayed, asynchronous mode is activated, allowing the sender to continue operations without suspension and reducing CPU overhead. When the receiver keeps up, synchronous mode ensures complete data transfer. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction between transfer completeness and CPU overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses automatic detection and conversion mechanisms that operate without continuous CPU intervention. The automatic conversion from synchronous to asynchronous mode based on buffer status reduces the burden on the CPU, allowing it to service other tasks while data transfer progresses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Stability of the object's composition

If synchronous data transfer is used, then data order is maintained, but productivity decreases when receiver is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata orderVSAvoiddata transmission throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches transfer modes based on receiver status. Asynchronous mode maintains data order through proper queue management while allowing continuous sender operations, thus maintaining productivity even when the receiver is delayed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces intermediate buffer structures and control mechanisms that mediate between the sender and receiver. These intermediaries ensure data order is maintained while allowing the sender to continue operations without waiting for the receiver, thus maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Use of energy by moving object

If automatic conversion from synchronous to asynchronous is implemented, then CPU overhead is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCPU overheadVSAvoidcontrol structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service through automatic detection and conversion mechanisms that operate autonomously based on buffer status. This reduces the need for complex external control logic and continuous CPU intervention, thereby reducing CPU overhead despite the added conversion functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from receiver buffer status to automatically determine when to convert between synchronous and asynchronous modes. This feedback mechanism simplifies control by using explicit status indicators rather than requiring complex predictive algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2591417B1Facilitating communication between isolated memory spaces of a communications environment
Publication Date: 2017.02.22 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION
  • EP2591417B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2591417B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2591417B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Automatically converting a synchronous data transfer to an asynchronous data transfer. Data to be transferred from a sender to a receiver is initiated using a synchronous data transfer protocol. Responsive to a determination that the data is to be sent asynchronously, the data transfer is automatically converted from the synchronous data transfer to the asynchronous data transfer.