Trace Logic Compression Adaptation for Bus Bandwidth
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Solution Overview
Problem
The finite bus bandwidth and trace buffer size in data processing systems limit the volume of trace elements that can be generated and output, particularly for complex processor cores, leading to inefficiencies in tracing activities such as instruction and data address tracing, and potential loss of trace information due to ineffective compression algorithms.
Innovation Solution
A data processing apparatus with trace logic that adapts compression processes based on operating environment control information, using re-ordering logic to optimize compression by rearranging data elements and applying suitable compression algorithms, ensuring efficient compression across different environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If compression algorithms are applied to trace elements, then the volume of trace data is reduced, but the effectiveness of compression varies depending on the operating environment leading to potential information loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptation of compression algorithms based on operating environment detection. The system switches between different compression strategies (e.g., run-length encoding vs. delta encoding) depending on the detected environment characteristics, ensuring optimal compression effectiveness while maintaining data integrity across varying operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes compression parameters such as compression ratio, encoding depth, and data granularity based on operating environment factors. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system optimizes the balance between data volume reduction and information preservation for different operational contexts.
2Quantity of substance
If the trace buffer size is increased to capture more trace elements, then the volume of trace information is improved, but the bus bandwidth requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies compression to trace elements before they are written to the trace buffer. This preliminary compression action reduces the amount of data that needs to be transmitted over the bus, allowing larger effective buffer capacity without proportionally increasing bandwidth requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts and removes redundant or less critical trace information through selective compression and filtering. By taking out unnecessary data elements while preserving essential trace information, the system reduces the overall data volume that consumes bus bandwidth.
3Measurement precision
If more trace elements are generated to capture detailed processor activity, then the tracing accuracy is improved, but the bus bandwidth and trace buffer capacity are exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different compression levels and trace element generation strategies to different parts of the trace data based on their importance. Critical trace elements maintain full detail for accuracy, while less critical elements are compressed more aggressively, achieving a balance between tracing accuracy and data volume management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system generates and compresses trace elements with varying degrees of detail based on operational context. In some cases, it uses partial tracing that captures sufficient information for accurate analysis without generating excessive data, while in other cases it may use excessive compression that preserves all necessary trace information for accurate reconstruction.
Data Source
AI summary
A data processing apparatus and method are provided for reducing trace bandwidth. The data processing apparatus comprises logic for producing data elements, and trace logic for producing a stream of trace elements representative of at least some of the data elements. The trace logic has trace generation logic for generating trace elements for inclusion in the stream, the trace generation logic including compression logic for performing a compression process on at least some trace elements prior to inclusion in the stream. A storage is also provided in association with the trace logic for providing control information which is dependent on an operating environment of the logic producing the data elements. The trace generation logic is arranged to reference that control information in order to adapt the compression process performed by the compression logic having regard to the operating environment. By such an approach, the efficiency of the compression process can be maintained irrespective of the operating environment of the logic producing the data elements.