Patents by Inventor Cameron Buschardt

Cameron Buschardt has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20160357482
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a computer-implemented method for migrating a memory page from a first memory to a second memory. The method includes determining a first page size supported by the first memory. The method also includes determining a second page size supported by the second memory. The method further includes determining a use history of the memory page based on an entry in a page state directory associated with the memory page. The method also includes migrating the memory page between the first memory and the second memory based on the first page size, the second page size, and the use history.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Jerome F. DULUK, JR., Cameron BUSCHARDT, James Leroy DEMING, Lucien DUNNING, Brian FAHS, Mark HAIRGROVE, Chenghuan JIA, John MASHEY, James M. VAN DYKE
  • Patent number: 9424201
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a computer-implemented method for migrating a memory page from a first memory to a second memory. The method includes determining a first page size supported by the first memory. The method also includes determining a second page size supported by the second memory. The method further includes determining a use history of the memory page based on an entry in a page state directory associated with the memory page. The method also includes migrating the memory page between the first memory and the second memory based on the first page size, the second page size, and the use history.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: Jerome F. Duluk, Jr., Cameron Buschardt, James Leroy Deming, Lucien Dunning, Brian Fahs, Mark Hairgrove, Chenghuan Jia, John Mashey, James M. Van Dyke
  • Publication number: 20160188251
    Abstract: Unified virtual memory (UVM) management techniques using page table sharing between user mode and kernel mode GPU address spaces and creating the notion of privileged level of data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Lucien Dunning, Dwayne Swoboda, Arvind Gopalakrishnan, Cameron Buschardt
  • Patent number: 9355041
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a memory subsystem that includes a sliding window tracker that tracks memory accesses associated with a sliding window of memory page groups. When the sliding window tracker detects an access operation associated with a memory page group within the sliding window, the sliding window tracker sets a reference bit that is associated with the memory page group and is included in a reference vector that represents accesses to the memory page groups within the sliding window. Based on the values of the reference bits, the sliding window tracker causes the selection a memory page in a memory page group that has fallen into disuse from a first memory to a second memory. Because the sliding window tracker tunes the memory pages that are resident in the first memory to reflect memory access patterns, the overall performance of the memory subsystem is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: John Mashey, Cameron Buschardt, James Leroy Deming, Jerome F. Duluk, Jr., Brian Fahs
  • Publication number: 20150015269
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method for detecting defective solder balls that includes configuring a transmitter pad to transmit a pulse signal, transmitting the pulse signal, configuring transmitter pad to receive a pulse reflection, receiving a pulse reflection, analyzing the pulse reflection; and determining whether the pulse reflection is indicative of a defective solder ball. One advantage of the disclosed method is that solder ball defects may be detected more accurately than in the trial and error approach.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Hans Wolfgang SCHULZE, Cameron BUSCHARDT
  • Publication number: 20140281365
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a memory subsystem that includes a sliding window tracker that tracks memory accesses associated with a sliding window of memory page groups. When the sliding window tracker detects an access operation associated with a memory page group within the sliding window, the sliding window tracker sets a reference bit that is associated with the memory page group and is included in a reference vector that represents accesses to the memory page groups within the sliding window. Based on the values of the reference bits, the sliding window tracker causes the selection a memory page in a memory page group that has fallen into disuse from a first memory to a second memory. Because the sliding window tracker tunes the memory pages that are resident in the first memory to reflect memory access patterns, the overall performance of the memory subsystem is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: NVIDIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: John MASHEY, Cameron BUSCHARDT, James Leroy DEMING, Jerome F. DULUK, JR., Brian FAHS
  • Publication number: 20140281324
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a computer-implemented method for migrating a memory page from a first memory to a second memory. The method includes determining a first page size supported by the first memory. The method also includes determining a second page size supported by the second memory. The method further includes determining a use history of the memory page based on an entry in a page state directory associated with the memory page. The method also includes migrating the memory page between the first memory and the second memory based on the first page size, the second page size, and the use history.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: NVIDIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jerome F. DULUK, JR., Cameron BUSCHARDT, James Leroy DEMING, Lucien DUNNING, Brian FAHS, Mark HAIRGROVE, Chenghuan JIA, John MASHEY, James M. VAN DYKE
  • Publication number: 20140281299
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for transitioning a memory page between memories in a virtual memory subsystem. A unified virtual memory (UVM) driver detects a page fault in response to a memory access request associated with a first memory page, where a local page table does not include an entry corresponding to a virtual memory address included in the memory access request. The UVM driver, in response to the page fault, executes a page fault sequence. The page fault sequence includes modifying the ownership state associated with the first memory page to be central-processing-unit-shared. The page fault sequence further includes scheduling the first memory page for migration from a system memory associated with a central processing unit (CPU) to a local memory associated with a parallel processing unit (PPU). One advantage of the disclosed approach is that the PPU accesses memory pages with greater efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: NVIDIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jerome F. DULUK, JR., Cameron BUSCHARDT, James Leroy DEMING, Lucien DUNNING, Brian FAHS, Mark HAIRGROVE, John MASHEY
  • Publication number: 20140281296
    Abstract: A system for managing virtual memory. The system includes a first processing unit configured to execute a first operation that references a first virtual memory address. The system also includes a first memory management unit (MMU) associated with the first processing unit and configured to generate a first page fault upon determining that a first page table that is stored in a first memory unit associated with the first processing unit does not include a mapping corresponding to the first virtual memory address. The system further includes a first copy engine associated with the first processing unit. The first copy engine is configured to read a first command queue to determine a first mapping that corresponds to the first virtual memory address and is included in a first page state directory. The first copy engine is also configured to update the first page table to include the first mapping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: NVIDIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jerome F. DULUK, JR., Cameron BUSCHARDT, Sherry CHEUNG, James Leroy DEMING, Samuel H. DUNCAN, Lucien DUNNING, Robert GEORGE, Arvind GOPALAKRISHNAN, Mark HAIRGROVE, Chenghuan JIA, John MASHEY
  • Publication number: 20140281264
    Abstract: Embodiments of the approaches disclosed herein include a subsystem that includes an access tracking mechanism configured to monitor access operations directed to a first memory and a second memory. The access tracking mechanism detects an access operation generated by a processor for accessing a first memory page residing on the second memory. The access tracking mechanism further determines that the first memory page is included in a first subset of memory pages residing on the second memory. The access tracking mechanism further locates, within a reference vector, a reference bit that corresponds to the first memory page, and sets the reference bit. One advantage of the present invention is that memory pages in a hybrid system migrate as needed to increase overall memory performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: NVIDIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jerome F. DULUK, JR., Cameron BUSCHARDT, James Leroy DEMING, Brian FAHS
  • Publication number: 20140281358
    Abstract: A system for managing virtual memory. The system includes a first processing unit configured to execute a first operation that references a first virtual memory address. The system also includes a first memory management unit (MMU) associated with the first processing unit and configured to generate a first page fault upon determining that a first page table that is stored in a first memory unit associated with the first processing unit does not include a mapping corresponding to the first virtual memory address. The system further includes a first copy engine associated with the first processing unit. The first copy engine is configured to read a first command queue to determine a first mapping that corresponds to the first virtual memory address and is included in a first page state directory. The first copy engine is also configured to update the first page table to include the first mapping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: NVIDIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jerome F. DULUK, JR., Cameron BUSCHARDT, Sherry CHEUNG, James Leroy DEMING, Samuel H. DUNCAN, Lucien DUNNING, Robert GEORGE, Arvind GOPALAKRISHNAN, Mark HAIRGROVE, Chenghuan JIA, John MASHEY
  • Publication number: 20140281256
    Abstract: A system for managing virtual memory. The system includes a first processing unit configured to execute a first operation that references a first virtual memory address. The system also includes a first memory management unit (MMU) associated with the first processing unit and configured to generate a first page fault upon determining that a first page table that is stored in a first memory unit associated with the first processing unit does not include a mapping corresponding to the first virtual memory address. The system further includes a first copy engine associated with the first processing unit. The first copy engine is configured to read a first command queue to determine a first mapping that corresponds to the first virtual memory address and is included in a first page state directory. The first copy engine is also configured to update the first page table to include the first mapping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: NVIDIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jerome F. DULUK, JR., Cameron BUSCHARDT, Sherry CHEUNG, James Leroy DEMING, Samuel H. DUNCAN, Lucien DUNNING, Robert GEORGE, Arvind GOPALAKRISHNAN, Mark HAIRGROVE, Chenghuan JIA, John MASHEY
  • Publication number: 20140281263
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a parallel processing unit (PPU) that includes one or more streaming multiprocessors (SMs) and implements a replay unit per SM. Upon detecting a page fault associated with a memory transaction issued by a particular SM, the corresponding replay unit causes the SM, but not any unaffected SMs, to cease issuing new memory transactions. The replay unit then stores the faulting memory transaction and any faulting in-flight memory transaction in a replay buffer. As page faults are resolved, the replay unit replays the memory transactions in the replay buffer—removing successful memory transactions from the replay buffer—until all of the stored memory transactions have successfully executed. Advantageously, the overall performance of the PPU is improved compared to conventional PPUs that, upon detecting a page fault, stop performing memory transactions across all SMs included in the PPU until the fault is resolved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: NVIDIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Leroy DEMING, Jerome F. DULUK, Jr., John MASHEY, Mark HAIRGROVE, Lucien DUNNING, Jonathon Stuart Ramsay EVANS, Samuel H. DUNCAN, Cameron BUSCHARDT, Brian FAHS
  • Publication number: 20140267334
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes techniques for a first processing unit to perform an atomic operation on a memory page shared with a second processing unit. The memory page is associated with a page table entry corresponding to the first processing unit. Before executing the atomic operation, an MMU included in the first processing unit evaluates an atomic permission bit that is included in the page table entry. If the MMU determines that the atomic permission bit is inactive, then the two processing units coordinate to change the permission status of the memory page. As part of the status change, the atomic permission bit in the page table entry is activated. Subsequently, the first processing unit performs the atomic operation uninterrupted by the second processing unit. Advantageously, coordinating the processing unit via the atomic permission bit ensures the proper and efficient execution of the atomic operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: NVIDIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jerome F. DULUK, JR., John MASHEY, Mark HAIRGROVE, James Leroy DEMING, Cameron BUSCHARDT, Brian FAHS
  • Publication number: 20140281297
    Abstract: Techniques are provided by which memory pages may be migrated among PPU memories in a multi-PPU system. According to the techniques, a UVM driver determines that a particular memory page should change ownership state and/or be migrated between one PPU memory and another PPU memory. In response to this determination, the UVM driver initiates a peer transition sequence to cause the ownership state and/or location of the memory page to change. Various peer transition sequences involve modifying mappings for one or more PPU, and copying a memory page from one PPU memory to another PPU memory. Several steps in peer transition sequences may be performed in parallel for increased processing speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: NVIDIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jerome F. DULUK, JR., John MASHEY, Mark HAIRGROVE, Chenghuan JIA, Cameron BUSCHARDT, Lucien DUNNING, Brian FAHS
  • Publication number: 20140281356
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes a microcontroller coupled to a memory management unit (MMU). The MMU is coupled to a page table included in a physical memory, and the microcontroller is configured to perform one or more virtual memory operations associated with the physical memory and the page table. In operation, the microcontroller receives a page fault generated by the MMU in response to an invalid memory access via a virtual memory address. To remedy such a page fault, the microcontroller performs actions to map the virtual memory address to an appropriate location in the physical memory. By contrast, in prior-art systems, a fault handler would typically remedy the page fault. Advantageously, because the microcontroller executes these tasks locally with respect to the MMU and the physical memory, latency associated with remedying page faults may be decreased. Consequently, overall system performance may be increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: NVIDIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cameron BUSCHARDT, Jerome F. DULUK, JR., John MASHEY, Mark HAIRGROVE, James Leroy DEMING, Brian FAHS
  • Publication number: 20140281110
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for tracking memory page accesses in a unified virtual memory system. An access tracking unit detects a memory page access generated by a first processor for accessing a memory page in a memory system of a second processor. The access tracking unit determines whether a cache memory includes an entry for the memory page. If so, then the access tracking unit increments an associated access counter. Otherwise, the access tracking unit attempts to find an unused entry in the cache memory that is available for allocation. If so, then the access tracking unit associates the second entry with the memory page, and sets an access counter associated with the second entry to an initial value. Otherwise, the access tracking unit selects a valid entry in the cache memory; clears an associated valid bit; associates the entry with the memory page; and initializes an associated access counter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: NVIDIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jerome F. DULUK, Jr., Cameron BUSCHARDT, James Leroy DEMING, Brian FAHS, Mark HAIRGROVE, John MASHEY
  • Publication number: 20140281357
    Abstract: A system for managing virtual memory. The system includes a first processing unit configured to execute a first operation that references a first virtual memory address. The system also includes a first memory management unit (MMU) associated with the first processing unit and configured to generate a first page fault upon determining that a first page table that is stored in a first memory unit associated with the first processing unit does not include a mapping corresponding to the first virtual memory address. The system further includes a first copy engine associated with the first processing unit. The first copy engine is configured to read a first command queue to determine a first mapping that corresponds to the first virtual memory address and is included in a first page state directory. The first copy engine is also configured to update the first page table to include the first mapping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: Jerome F. DULUK, JR., Cameron BUSCHARDT, Sherry CHEUNG, James Leroy DEMING, Samuel H. DUNCAN, Lucien DUNNING, Robert GEORGE, Arvind GOPALAKRISHNAN, Mark HAIRGROVE, Chenghuan JIA, John MASHEY
  • Publication number: 20140281255
    Abstract: A system for managing virtual memory. The system includes a first processing unit configured to execute a first operation that references a first virtual memory address. The system also includes a first memory management unit (MMU) associated with the first processing unit and configured to generate a first page fault upon determining that a first page table that is stored in a first memory unit associated with the first processing unit does not include a mapping corresponding to the first virtual memory address. The system further includes a first copy engine associated with the first processing unit. The first copy engine is configured to read a first command queue to determine a first mapping that corresponds to the first virtual memory address and is included in a first page state directory. The first copy engine is also configured to update the first page table to include the first mapping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: NVIDIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jerome F. DULUK, JR., Cameron BUSCHARDT, Sherry CHEUNG, James Leroy DEMING, Samuel H. DUNCAN, Lucien DUNNING, Robert GEORGE, Arvind GOPALAKRISHNAN, Mark HAIRGROVE, Chenghuan JIA, John MASHEY
  • Publication number: 20140281364
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes a microcontroller coupled to a memory management unit (MMU). The MMU is coupled to a page table included in a physical memory, and the microcontroller is configured to perform one or more virtual memory operations associated with the physical memory and the page table. In operation, the microcontroller receives a page fault generated by the MMU in response to an invalid memory access via a virtual memory address. To remedy such a page fault, the microcontroller performs actions to map the virtual memory address to an appropriate location in the physical memory. By contrast, in prior-art systems, a fault handler would typically remedy the page fault. Advantageously, because the microcontroller executes these tasks locally with respect to the MMU and the physical memory, latency associated with remedying page faults may be decreased. Consequently, overall system performance may be increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: NVIDIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cameron BUSCHARDT, Jerome F. DULUK, JR., John MASHEY, Mark HAIRGROVE, James Leroy DEMING, Brian FAHS