Timeline Semaphore API Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In computing systems, applications that use multiple APIs often face inefficiencies in resource allocation, leading to waste and stalling due to uncoordinated processing of mixed workloads, where APIs share limited computing resources like processors and memory without proper synchronization.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a timeline semaphore that coordinates and synchronizes workloads by allowing APIs to signal and wait on a shared resource, enabling efficient allocation of computing resources and reducing resource waste through the use of a monotonically increasing 64-bit integer value to manage synchronization between APIs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple APIs share computing resources without proper synchronization, then resource allocation flexibility is improved, but resource waste and processing stalling increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a timeline semaphore as an intermediary synchronization mechanism between multiple APIs. The semaphore acts as a mediator that coordinates resource access by allowing APIs to signal completion of tasks and wait for resources to be available, preventing uncoordinated access patterns that lead to resource waste while maintaining flexible resource sharing across different API workloads.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple APIs share computing resources without proper synchronization, then resource allocation flexibility is improved, but processing efficiency deteriorates due to stalling
Solution Approach 1:
The timeline semaphore serves as a mediator that enables efficient coordination between APIs by providing a standardized signaling mechanism. APIs can efficiently wait for resources and signal completion through the semaphore, eliminating stalling caused by uncoordinated access while preserving the flexibility to share resources across multiple API workloads.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where APIs signal the timeline semaphore upon completing tasks or becoming ready for resource access. This feedback loop allows the system to dynamically adjust resource allocation based on actual workload status, improving processing efficiency by preventing both premature access and unnecessary waiting while maintaining flexible resource sharing.
3Productivity
If a timeline semaphore is implemented to synchronize APIs, then resource synchronization efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The timeline semaphore is designed as a universal synchronization primitive that can be used across multiple different APIs and workload types. By providing a single, standardized mechanism that serves multiple synchronization needs simultaneously, the patent achieves efficient resource coordination without proportionally increasing system complexity, as the same semaphore infrastructure handles diverse API coordination requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, systems, and techniques to perform one or more APIs to receive, update, wait on, and invalidate one or more timeline semaphores. In at least one embodiment, apparatuses, systems, and techniques to manage computing resources (e.g., streams for a workload) can reference, use, and read a count value corresponding to a timeline semaphore. In at least one embodiment, APIs can communicate with drivers or libraries to interact with a handle of a timeline semaphore.