Virtual Address Mapping for Cross-Node GPU Memory Sharing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems face inefficiencies in memory sharing between GPUs across different nodes, requiring expensive operations to copy data and inefficient use of resources.

Innovation Solution

Implementing memory managers to facilitate shared memory access across multiple processors, utilizing virtual address spaces and memory maps to enable seamless memory sharing between GPUs on different nodes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If memory copying operation is performed between GPUs on different nodes, then data can be transferred between nodes, but the operation becomes expensive and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvememory sharing efficiencyVSAvoidcost of data copying
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a memory manager as an intermediary component that enables shared memory access between GPUs on different nodes. Instead of direct expensive memory copying operations, the memory manager facilitates efficient data sharing through virtual address space mapping and memory region management, allowing GPUs to access shared memory without performing costly copy operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements virtual address space copying and mapping mechanisms. Each GPU has its own virtual address space that can be mapped to shared physical memory regions. This allows multiple GPUs to access the same physical memory through different virtual addresses, eliminating the need for expensive physical memory copying operations while maintaining memory isolation and security

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Productivity

If memory copying operation is performed between GPUs on different nodes, then data can be transferred between nodes, but the operation becomes complicated for programmers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvememory sharing efficiencyVSAvoidprogramming complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The memory manager serves as an intermediary that abstracts away the complexity of memory sharing from programmers. It provides simplified APIs and automatic memory management mechanisms, so developers can access shared memory through intuitive interfaces without manually handling the complicated memory copying and mapping operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual memory management mechanisms with automated virtual address space mapping and memory region management. Instead of programmers manually handling memory copying operations, the system automatically manages memory allocation, mapping, and access rights through the memory manager, significantly simplifying programming

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If memory copying operation is performed between GPUs on different nodes, then data can be transferred between nodes, but resources are used inefficiently

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvememory sharing efficiencyVSAvoidresource utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges memory resources across multiple GPUs and nodes into a unified shared memory space. Through virtual address space mapping, physical memory from multiple GPUs can be combined and accessed as a single coherent memory region, improving resource utilization by allowing multiple GPUs to access the same physical memory without requiring separate memory copies

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The memory manager provides universal memory access capabilities that work across all GPUs in the system. It enables any GPU to access any shared memory region through standardized virtual address mapping mechanisms, making the memory system universally accessible and efficiently utilized across different hardware configurations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12450162B1Sharing memory among multiple processors
Publication Date: 2025.10.21 NVIDIA CORP
  • US12450162B1 patent drawing
  • US12450162B1 patent drawing
  • US12450162B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Apparatuses, systems, and techniques to facilitate memory management. In at least one embodiment, data from one or more first shared physical memory locations is accessed based, at least in part, on one or more virtual addresses corresponding to one or more second shared physical memory locations.