Variable-Length Data Compression for Mixed Data Blocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data compression and decompression systems struggle with efficiently handling mixed blocks of compressed and uncompressed data values, as they lack the capability to distinguish and manage these mixed data types effectively, leading to inefficiencies in compression and decompression processes.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a data compression device that uses a unique special-meaning codeword to indicate uncompressed data values within a compressed data block, allowing for the combination of compressed and uncompressed data values in a single block, and a corresponding decompression method that detects this metadata to restore the original data order, enhancing compression efficiency by distinguishing between compressed and uncompressed data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If data compression is applied to all data values in a block, then compression ratio is improved, but decompression complexity increases when mixed compressed and uncompressed data are present
Solution Approach 1:
The data block is segmented into compressed and uncompressed portions using a metadata indicator. The compression device divides the data block into segments, applying compression only to suitable portions while leaving others uncompressed, and uses metadata to mark the boundaries and types of each segment. This segmentation allows the decompression device to efficiently identify and process only the compressed segments, reducing overall decompression complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Metadata acts as an intermediary between the compressed and uncompressed data portions. This metadata indicator provides information about which data values are compressed and which are not, enabling the decompression device to quickly distinguish and handle different data types without complex analysis, thereby reducing decompression complexity while maintaining compression efficiency.
2Loss of substance
If mixed compressed and uncompressed data values are combined in a single block, then compression efficiency is improved, but data structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the data block are treated with different quality characteristics - some data values are compressed while others remain uncompressed based on their individual properties. The compression device analyzes each data value locally and applies appropriate handling (compressed or uncompressed) based on local characteristics such as compressibility and access patterns, creating a heterogeneous but manageable data structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression device performs preliminary analysis of data values before finalizing the block structure. It identifies which data values should be compressed and which should remain uncompressed, and prepares the metadata indicator in advance. This preliminary action prevents the need for complex post-processing during decompression and simplifies the overall data structure management.
3Measurement precision
If metadata is added to indicate uncompressed data values, then decompression accuracy is improved, but metadata overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding comprehensive metadata for every data value, the system applies partial metadata only where necessary - specifically, metadata indicators are added only for uncompressed data values or at boundaries between compressed and uncompressed segments. This partial action approach provides sufficient information for accurate decompression while minimizing metadata overhead and avoiding unnecessary data expansion.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, devices and systems for a compressor and a decompressor for encoding and decoding data in the cache/memory/data transferring subsystem in a computer system or in a communication network are described herein. An example variable-length compressor is able to compress blocks of data values and the compressed blocks may include mixes of compressed and uncompressed values, wherein metadata in the form of a unique special-meaning codeword (UUIC) indicates uncompressed values. An example variable-length decompressor is able to decompress the compressed data blocks. The compressor and decompressor are able to support compression and decompression of common compression scenarios that are used in combination with variable-length compression to improve compressibility in the cache/memory/data transferring subsystem in a computer system or in a communication network.