Timeline Semaphore API for Mixed Workload 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 mixed workloads by allowing APIs to signal and wait on a shared resource, enabling efficient allocation of computing resources and reducing resource wastage through omnidirectional synchronization between devices and hosts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple APIs share computing resources without proper synchronization, then resource utilization flexibility is improved, but resource wastage and processing stalling increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilization flexibilityVSAvoidresource wastage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a timeline semaphore as an intermediary synchronization mechanism that mediates between multiple APIs competing for shared computing resources. The timeline semaphore coordinates resource access by allowing APIs to signal completion of tasks and wait for resource availability, preventing both resource wastage and processing stalling while maintaining flexible multi-API utilization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple APIs share computing resources without proper synchronization, then resource utilization flexibility is improved, but processing stalling increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilization flexibilityVSAvoidprocessing stalling

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The timeline semaphore acts as a mediator that prevents processing stalling by coordinating between APIs. When one API completes a task, it signals the timeline semaphore, which then notifies waiting APIs that resources are available, eliminating idle waiting time while maintaining flexible resource sharing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The synchronization mechanism implements feedback by having APIs signal their completion status to the timeline semaphore, which then provides feedback to waiting APIs about resource availability. This closed-loop feedback system prevents stalling by ensuring APIs only proceed when resources are actually available

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If timeline semaphore synchronizes mixed workloads, then resource allocation efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource allocation efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The timeline semaphore is designed as a universal synchronization mechanism that can be used across multiple different APIs and workload types. By providing a single, standardized interface for resource coordination that works with various API combinations, the system achieves efficient resource allocation without proportionally increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20230185636A1Application programming interfaces for interoperability

Publication Date: 2023.06.15 NVIDIA CORP

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.