Low-Latency Loop
A low-latency loop refers to a closed-loop control system where the time delay between an action being taken and the resulting feedback being received and processed is minimized. In computing, this means the entire cycle—sensing, processing, acting, and sensing again—occurs extremely rapidly. The goal is near-instantaneous reaction to environmental changes or input data.
In modern applications, especially those involving physical interaction or rapid decision-making (like autonomous vehicles or high-frequency trading), latency is a critical performance metric. High latency introduces delays that can lead to system failure, incorrect decisions, or a poor user experience. Low latency ensures that the system's state accurately reflects the current reality.
The loop typically involves four stages:
Minimizing the time spent in the processing stage is key to achieving low latency.
Low-latency loops are foundational to several advanced technologies:
The primary benefits include enhanced system stability, improved decision accuracy, and superior user experience. For industrial applications, it translates directly to increased efficiency and safety. For consumer applications, it means a more fluid and responsive interaction.
Achieving ultra-low latency is challenging due to several factors. Network jitter, computational bottlenecks in complex models, operating system overhead, and hardware limitations all contribute to latency. Optimizing code, selecting appropriate hardware (like specialized accelerators), and efficient data serialization are necessary mitigation strategies.
This concept is closely related to concepts like throughput (how much data is processed over time), jitter (the variance in latency), and real-time operating systems (RTOS), which are specifically designed to guarantee timely execution.
