perf(mge): improve cross stream memory borrowing

GitOrigin-RevId: c68977c5dc

imperative/python/megengine/_multistream.py

@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+from .core._imperative_rt.core2 import apply
+from .core.ops.builtin import Barrier
+from .tensor import Tensor
+
+_dummy_tensors = {}
+
+
+def _get_dummy_tensor(device):
+    if device not in _dummy_tensors:
+        _dummy_tensors[device] = Tensor([], device=device)
+    return _dummy_tensors[device]
+
+
+def record_event(device):
+    x = _get_dummy_tensor(device)
+    (x,) = apply(Barrier(device, 1), x)
+    return x
+
+
+def wait_event(device, event):
+    apply(Barrier(device, 0), event)

imperative/python/megengine/device.py

@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ _sh = _stream_helper()
 
 def _valid_device(inp):
     if isinstance(inp, str) and re.match(
-        "^([cxg]pu|rocm|multithread)(\d+|\d+:\d+|x)$", inp
+        "^([cxg]pu|rocm|multithread)(x|\d+)(:\d+)?$", inp
     ):
         return True
     return False
@@ -255,8 +255,8 @@ def what_is_xpu():
 def coalesce_free_memory():
     r"""This function will try it best to free all consecutive free chunks back to operating system,
     small pieces may not be returned.
-    
-    because of the async processing of megengine, the effect of this func may not be reflected 
+
+    because of the async processing of megengine, the effect of this func may not be reflected
     immediately. if you want to see the effect immediately, you can call megengine._full_sync after
     this func was called
 

imperative/python/megengine/tensor.py

@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ from .core._imperative_rt.core2 import Tensor as _Tensor
 from .core._imperative_rt.core2 import apply, set_py_tensor_type
 from .core._trace_option import use_symbolic_shape
 from .core._wrap import as_device
-from .core.ops.builtin import Copy, GetVarShape
+from .core.ops.builtin import Borrow, Copy, GetVarShape
 from .core.tensor.array_method import ArrayMethodMixin
 from .device import _valid_device, get_default_device
 from .logger import get_logger
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@ class Tensor(_Tensor, ArrayMethodMixin):
     def reset_zero(self):
         self *= 0
 
-    def to(self, device):
+    def to(self, device, *, _borrow=False):
         r"""Copy self :class:`~.Tensor` to specified device. See :func:`~.copy`"""
         if isinstance(device, str) and not _valid_device(device):
             raise ValueError(
@@ -214,7 +214,8 @@ class Tensor(_Tensor, ArrayMethodMixin):
                 )
             )
         cn = as_device(device).to_c()
-        return apply(Copy(comp_node=cn), self)[0]
+        op = Borrow(comp_node=cn) if _borrow else Copy(comp_node=cn)
+        return apply(op, self)[0]
 
     @property
     def requires_grad(self):
@@ -232,11 +233,11 @@ class Tensor(_Tensor, ArrayMethodMixin):
         return id(self)
 
     def __getnewargs__(self):
-        r""" __getnewargs__ will be called for pickle serialization or deep copy"""
+        r"""__getnewargs__ will be called for pickle serialization or deep copy"""
         return (self.numpy(), self.dtype, self.device.logical_name)
 
     def __getstate__(self):
-        r""" __getstate__ will be called for pickle serialization or deep copy"""
+        r"""__getstate__ will be called for pickle serialization or deep copy"""
         state = {}
         if self._qparams is not None:
             state["qparams"] = self._qparams

imperative/python/src/module_trace.h

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 
 #pragma once
 
+#include <list>
 #include "megbrain/imperative/transformations/trace.h"
 #include "megbrain/imperative/utils/map.h"
 #include "megbrain/imperative/utils/stats.h"

imperative/python/src/tensor.cpp

@@ -998,6 +998,9 @@ void init_tensor(py::module m) {
         module_trace_hook.inc_ref();
     });
 
+    auto atexit = py::module::import("atexit");
+    atexit.attr("register")(py::cpp_function([]() { module_trace_hook = {}; }));
+
     m.def("begin_record_values", [] { Value::begin_record_values(); });
 
     m.def("end_record_values", [] {

imperative/python/test/unit/core/test_stream.py

@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+import gc
+
+import numpy as np
+import pytest
+
+import megengine as mge
+import megengine.functional as F
+from megengine._multistream import record_event, wait_event
+
+
+class MemStat:
+    def __init__(self, *args):
+        for d in args:
+            mge.Tensor([], device=d)
+        gc.collect()
+        mge._full_sync()
+        self.baseline = {d: mge.device.get_allocated_memory(d) for d in args}
+        for d in args:
+            mge.device.reset_max_memory_stats(d)
+
+    def get_max(self, device):
+        return mge.device.get_max_allocated_memory(device) - self.baseline[device]
+
+
+@pytest.mark.require_ngpu(1)
+def test_mem_stats():
+    memstat = MemStat("xpux:0", "xpux:1")
+
+    F.arange(1024, device="xpux:0")
+
+    mge._full_sync()
+    assert 4096 <= memstat.get_max("xpux:0") == memstat.get_max("xpux:1") <= 4096 + 128
+
+
+@pytest.mark.require_ngpu(1)
+def test_borrow():
+    memstat = MemStat("xpux:0", "xpux:1")
+
+    x_np = np.random.randint(2 ** 30, size=(1 * 1024 * 1024,), dtype="int32")
+    unit = x_np.size * 4
+    x0 = mge.Tensor(x_np, device="xpux:0")
+    x1 = x0.to("xpux:1", _borrow=True)
+    y = -x1
+    np.testing.assert_equal(-x_np, y.numpy())
+
+    mge._full_sync()
+    assert memstat.get_max("xpux:0") / unit < 2.1
+
+
+@pytest.mark.require_ngpu(1)
+def test_stream_mem():
+    memstat = MemStat("xpux:0", "xpux:1")
+
+    x_np = np.random.randint(2 ** 10, size=(1 * 1024 * 1024,), dtype="int32")
+    unit = x_np.size * 4
+    x0 = mge.Tensor(x_np, device="xpux:0")
+
+    results = []
+    events = []
+    for i in range(100):
+        if len(events) >= 2:
+            wait_event("xpux:0", events[-2])
+        x0 = x0 + 1
+        results.append(x0.to("xpux:1", _borrow=True).sum())
+        events.append(record_event("xpux:1"))
+        del events[:-2]
+
+    y_np = x_np.sum()
+    for i, y in enumerate(results):
+        y_np += x_np.size
+        assert y_np == y.numpy()
+
+    mge._full_sync()
+    assert memstat.get_max("xpux:0") / unit < 2.1

imperative/src/impl/async_releaser.h

@@ -1,84 +0,0 @@
-/**
- * \file imperative/src/impl/async_releaser.h
- * MegEngine is Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License")
- *
- * Copyright (c) 2014-2021 Megvii Inc. All rights reserved.
- *
- * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing,
- * software distributed under the License is distributed on an
- * "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT ARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
- */
-
-#pragma once
-
-#include "megbrain/comp_node.h"
-#include "megbrain/imperative/blob_manager.h"
-#include "megbrain/imperative/resource_manager.h"
-#include "megbrain/system.h"
-
-#include "./event_pool.h"
-
-namespace mgb {
-namespace imperative {
-
-class AsyncReleaser : public CompNodeDepedentObject {
-    struct WaiterParam {
-        CompNode cn;
-        CompNode::Event* event;
-        BlobPtr blob;
-        HostTensorStorage::RawStorage storage;
-    };
-    class Waiter final : public AsyncQueueSC<WaiterParam, Waiter> {
-        AsyncReleaser* m_par_releaser;
-
-    public:
-        // disable busy wait by set max_spin=0 to save CPU cycle
-        Waiter(AsyncReleaser* releaser)
-                : AsyncQueueSC<WaiterParam, Waiter>(0), m_par_releaser(releaser) {}
-
-        void process_one_task(WaiterParam& param) {
-            if (param.event->finished()) {
-                param.blob.reset();
-                param.storage.reset();
-                EventPool::without_timer().free(param.event);
-                return;
-            }
-
-            using namespace std::literals;
-            std::this_thread::sleep_for(1us);
-            add_task(std::move(param));
-        }
-        void on_async_queue_worker_thread_start() override {
-            sys::set_thread_name("releaser");
-        }
-    };
-    Waiter m_waiter{this};
-
-protected:
-    std::shared_ptr<void> on_comp_node_finalize() override {
-        m_waiter.wait_task_queue_empty();
-        return {};
-    }
-
-public:
-    static AsyncReleaser* inst() {
-        static auto* releaser = ResourceManager::create_global<AsyncReleaser>();
-        return releaser;
-    }
-
-    ~AsyncReleaser() { m_waiter.wait_task_queue_empty(); }
-
-    void add(BlobPtr blob, CompNode cn) { add(cn, std::move(blob), {}); }
-
-    void add(const HostTensorND& hv) {
-        add(hv.comp_node(), {}, hv.storage().raw_storage());
-    }
-
-    void add(CompNode cn, BlobPtr blob, HostTensorStorage::RawStorage storage = {}) {
-        auto event = EventPool::without_timer().alloc(cn);
-        event->record();
-        m_waiter.add_task({cn, event, std::move(blob), std::move(storage)});
-    }
-};
-}  // namespace imperative
-}  // namespace mgb

imperative/src/impl/blob_manager_impl.cpp

@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 namespace mgb {
 namespace imperative {
 
-BlobManagerImpl::BlobData::BlobData(Blob* in_blob) {
+BlobManagerImpl::BlobData::BlobData(OwnedBlob* in_blob) {
     blob = in_blob;
     DeviceTensorStorage d_storage;
     d_storage.reset(blob->m_comp_node, blob->m_size, blob->m_storage);
@@ -28,19 +28,19 @@ BlobManagerImpl::BlobData::BlobData(Blob* in_blob) {
     h_storage.copy_from(const_cast<DeviceTensorStorage&>(d_storage), blob->m_size);
 }
 
-void BlobManagerImpl::register_blob(Blob* blob) {
+void BlobManagerImpl::register_blob(OwnedBlob* blob) {
     // add blob into the comp2blobs map
     MGB_LOCK_GUARD(m_mtx);
     mgb_assert(m_comp2blobs_map[blob->m_comp_node].insert(blob));
 }
 
-void BlobManagerImpl::unregister_blob(Blob* blob) {
+void BlobManagerImpl::unregister_blob(OwnedBlob* blob) {
     // erase blob into the comp2blobs map
     MGB_LOCK_GUARD(m_mtx);
     mgb_assert(1 == m_comp2blobs_map[blob->m_comp_node].erase(blob));
 }
 
-void BlobManagerImpl::alloc_with_defrag(Blob* blob, size_t size) {
+void BlobManagerImpl::alloc_with_defrag(OwnedBlob* blob, size_t size) {
     if (custom_allocator) {
         blob->m_storage = custom_allocator(blob->m_comp_node, size);
         return;
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ void BlobManagerImpl::alloc_with_defrag(Blob* blob, size_t size) {
     });
 }
 
-void BlobManagerImpl::alloc_direct(Blob* blob, size_t size) {
+void BlobManagerImpl::alloc_direct(OwnedBlob* blob, size_t size) {
     DeviceTensorStorage storage(blob->m_comp_node);
     mgb_assert(blob->m_comp_node.valid());
     storage.ensure_size(size);
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ void BlobManagerImpl::defrag(const CompNode& cn) {
     // sort blobs by created time, may be helpful for reduce memory fragment
     std::sort(
             blob_data_arrary.begin(), blob_data_arrary.end(),
-            [](auto& lhs, auto& rhs) { return lhs.blob->id() < rhs.blob->id(); });
+            [](auto& lhs, auto& rhs) { return lhs.blob->m_id < rhs.blob->m_id; });
 
     // allocate for each storage
     for (auto i : blob_data_arrary) {
@@ -158,19 +158,19 @@ void BlobManagerImpl::defrag(const CompNode& cn) {
 }
 
 struct BlobManagerStub : BlobManager {
-    void alloc_direct(Blob* blob, size_t size) {
+    void alloc_direct(OwnedBlob* blob, size_t size) {
         mgb_assert(0, "prohibited after global variable destruction");
     };
-    void alloc_with_defrag(Blob* blob, size_t size) {
+    void alloc_with_defrag(OwnedBlob* blob, size_t size) {
         mgb_assert(0, "prohibited after global variable destruction");
     };
     DeviceTensorND alloc_workspace_with_defrag(CompNode cn, TensorLayout& layout) {
         mgb_assert(0, "prohibited after global variable destruction");
     };
-    void register_blob(Blob* blob) {
+    void register_blob(OwnedBlob* blob) {
         mgb_assert(0, "prohibited after global variable destruction");
     };
-    void unregister_blob(Blob* blob){};
+    void unregister_blob(OwnedBlob* blob){};
     void defrag(const CompNode& cn) {
         mgb_assert(0, "prohibited after global variable destruction");
     };

imperative/src/impl/blob_manager_impl.h

@@ -19,21 +19,21 @@ namespace imperative {
 class BlobManagerImpl final : public BlobManager {
     struct BlobSetWithMux {
         std::mutex mtx;
-        ThinHashSet<Blob*> blobs_set;
-        bool insert(Blob* blob) {
+        ThinHashSet<OwnedBlob*> blobs_set;
+        bool insert(OwnedBlob* blob) {
             MGB_LOCK_GUARD(mtx);
             return blobs_set.insert(blob).second;
         }
-        size_t erase(Blob* blob) {
+        size_t erase(OwnedBlob* blob) {
             MGB_LOCK_GUARD(mtx);
             return blobs_set.erase(blob);
         }
     };
 
     struct BlobData {
-        Blob* blob;
+        OwnedBlob* blob;
         HostTensorStorage h_storage;
-        BlobData(Blob* in_blob);
+        BlobData(OwnedBlob* in_blob);
     };
 
     std::mutex m_mtx;
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ class BlobManagerImpl final : public BlobManager {
 
     void defrag(const CompNode& cn) override;
 
-    void alloc_direct(Blob* blob, size_t size) override;
+    void alloc_direct(OwnedBlob* blob, size_t size) override;
 
     DeviceTensorND alloc_workspace(CompNode cn, TensorLayout layout);
 
@@ -50,14 +50,14 @@ class BlobManagerImpl final : public BlobManager {
 public:
     static BlobManager* inst();
 
-    void alloc_with_defrag(Blob* blob, size_t size) override;
+    void alloc_with_defrag(OwnedBlob* blob, size_t size) override;
 
     DeviceTensorND alloc_workspace_with_defrag(
             CompNode cn, TensorLayout& layout) override;
 
-    void register_blob(Blob* blob) override;
+    void register_blob(OwnedBlob* blob) override;
 
-    void unregister_blob(Blob* blob) override;
+    void unregister_blob(OwnedBlob* blob) override;
 
     void set_allocator(allocator_t allocator) override;
 };

imperative/src/impl/interpreter/interpreter_impl.cpp

@@ -704,7 +704,7 @@ void ChannelImpl::produce_tensor(TensorInfo* dest, TensorPtr ptr) {
     m_dtr.update_used_time(dest);
     MGB_RECORD_EVENT(
             TensorProduceEvent, dest->id, ptr->layout(), ptr->comp_node(),
-            ptr->dev_tensor(false).raw_ptr());
+            ptr->raw_ptr_not_for_readwrite());
     // update tensor desc for static infer
     if (dest->desc.layout.ndim) {
         mgb_assert(
@@ -805,8 +805,13 @@ void ChannelImpl::do_apply_op(const ApplyOp& cmd, std::string reason) {
                 inputs[idx]->to_contiguous_inplace(layout_checker);
             }
         }
-        return OpDef::apply_on_physical_tensor(
+        auto outputs = OpDef::apply_on_physical_tensor(
                 def, std::move(inputs), output_descs, validated);
+        for (auto& o : outputs) {
+            o->set_ready_event(
+                    record_event(o->comp_node(), def.same_type<imperative::Barrier>()));
+        }
+        return outputs;
     };
     MGB_RECORD_EVENT(OpExecuteEvent, apply_id, {}, reason);
     SmallVector<std::pair<CompNode, uint64_t>> kernels;
@@ -1059,7 +1064,7 @@ std::unordered_set<TensorInfo*> ChannelImpl::collect_valid_tensors() {
     return valid_tensors;
 }
 
-void ChannelImpl::alloc_tensor_with_evict(Blob* x) {
+void ChannelImpl::alloc_tensor_with_evict(OwnedBlob* x) {
     bool in_worker = (get_worker_tid() == std::this_thread::get_id());
     auto reserve_size = [&](size_t size) {
         if (!m_dtr.comp_node.valid()) {

imperative/src/impl/interpreter/interpreter_impl.h

@@ -304,7 +304,7 @@ private:
     //! automatically evict an optimal tensor
     bool auto_evict(size_t);
 
-    void alloc_tensor_with_evict(Blob*);
+    void alloc_tensor_with_evict(OwnedBlob*);
 
     // assert thread id when call get_xxx_state to avoid misuse
     ChannelState& get_channel_state();

imperative/src/impl/ops/elemwise.cpp

@@ -249,7 +249,7 @@ SmallVector<TensorPtr> apply_inplace_add_on_physical_tensor(
         const OpDef& def, const SmallVector<TensorPtr>& inputs,
         SmallVector<LogicalTensorDesc>& output_descs, const bool& validated) {
     auto dest = inputs[0], delta = inputs[1], alpha = inputs[2], beta = inputs[3];
-    if (!(inputs[0]->blob().unique() && inputs[0]->blob()->storage().unique())) {
+    if (!inputs[0]->storage_is_unique()) {
         mgb_log_warn(
                 "This inplace modification may change the elements of other tensors. "
                 "Fallback to non-inplace update.");

imperative/src/impl/ops/tensor_manip.cpp

@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@
 #include "megbrain/imperative/ops/autogen.h"
 #include "megbrain/imperative/ops/opr_attr.h"
 
-#include "../async_releaser.h"
 #include "../dnn_op_helper.h"
 #include "../op_trait.h"
 
@@ -267,8 +266,7 @@ SmallVector<TensorPtr> param_pack_concat_apply_on_physical_tensor(
             {srcs_raw_ptr, srcs_layout}, inputs.back()->dev_tensor().as_megdnn(),
             output->dev_tensor().as_megdnn(),
             caller.create_workspace({{ws_size}, dtype::Byte()}));
-    AsyncReleaser::inst()->add(
-            HostTensorND{comp_node, srcs_layout}.storage(srcs_storage));
+    async_release(HostTensorND{comp_node, srcs_layout}.storage(srcs_storage));
     return {output};
 }
 

imperative/src/impl/ops/utility.cpp

@@ -23,6 +23,8 @@
 #include "megbrain/opr/tensor_gen.h"
 #include "megbrain/opr/tensor_manip.h"
 #include "megbrain/opr/utility.h"
+#include "megbrain/tensor.h"
+#include "megdnn/dtype.h"
 
 #if MGB_JIT
 #include "megbrain/jit/executor_opr.h"
@@ -36,6 +38,102 @@ namespace mgb::imperative {
 MGB_DYN_TYPE_OBJ_FINAL_IMPL(GenericPyOp);
 OP_TRAIT_REG(GenericPyOp, GenericPyOp).fallback();
 
+namespace {
+namespace borrow {
+
+SmallVector<TensorPtr> apply_on_physical_tensor(
+        const OpDef& def, const SmallVector<TensorPtr>& inputs,
+        SmallVector<LogicalTensorDesc>& output_descs, const bool& validated) {
+    auto& op = def.cast_final_safe<Borrow>();
+    SmallVector<TensorPtr> outputs;
+    outputs.reserve(inputs.size());
+    for (auto& i : inputs) {
+        outputs.push_back(Tensor::make(
+                i->blob()->borrow_to(op.comp_node), i->layout(), i->offset()));
+    }
+    return outputs;
+}
+
+SmallVector<VarNode::LayoutConstraintCallback> get_input_layout_constraint(
+        const OpDef& def, const SmallVector<TensorPtr>& inputs) {
+    return SmallVector<VarNode::LayoutConstraintCallback>(inputs.size());
+}
+
+auto infer_output_attrs_fallible(
+        const OpDef& def, const SmallVector<LogicalTensorDesc>& inputs) {
+    auto& op = def.cast_final_safe<Borrow>();
+    std::tuple<SmallVector<LogicalTensorDesc>, bool> ret(inputs, true);
+    for (auto& i : std::get<0>(ret)) {
+        mgb_assert(
+                i.comp_node.mem_node() == op.comp_node.mem_node(),
+                "cannot borrow memory from %s to %s", i.comp_node.to_string().c_str(),
+                op.comp_node.to_string().c_str());
+        i.comp_node = op.comp_node;
+    }
+    return ret;
+}
+
+OP_TRAIT_REG(Borrow, Borrow)
+        .apply_on_physical_tensor(apply_on_physical_tensor)
+        .infer_output_attrs_fallible(infer_output_attrs_fallible)
+        .get_input_layout_constraint(get_input_layout_constraint)
+        .fallback();
+}  // namespace borrow
+}  // namespace
+
+namespace {
+namespace barrier {
+
+SmallVector<TensorPtr> apply_on_physical_tensor(
+        const OpDef& def, const SmallVector<TensorPtr>& inputs,
+        SmallVector<LogicalTensorDesc>& output_descs, const bool& validated) {
+    auto& op = def.cast_final_safe<imperative::Barrier>();
+    SmallVector<TensorPtr> outputs;
+    for (auto& i : inputs) {
+        if (i->comp_node() != op.comp_node) {
+            device_wait_event(op.comp_node, i->comp_node(), i->get_ready_event());
+        }
+    }
+    if (op.nr_outputs) {
+        outputs.resize(op.nr_outputs);
+        TensorLayout layout(TensorShape({0}), dtype::Int32{});
+        for (auto& i : outputs) {
+            i = Tensor::make(layout, op.comp_node);
+        }
+    }
+    return outputs;
+}
+
+SmallVector<VarNode::LayoutConstraintCallback> get_input_layout_constraint(
+        const OpDef& def, const SmallVector<TensorPtr>& inputs) {
+    return SmallVector<VarNode::LayoutConstraintCallback>(inputs.size());
+}
+
+auto infer_output_attrs_fallible(
+        const OpDef& def, const SmallVector<LogicalTensorDesc>& inputs) {
+    auto& op = def.cast_final_safe<imperative::Barrier>();
+    std::tuple<SmallVector<LogicalTensorDesc>, bool> ret;
+    auto& [descs, checked] = ret;
+    descs.resize(op.nr_outputs);
+    checked = true;
+    for (auto& desc : descs) {
+        desc.comp_node = op.comp_node;
+        desc.layout.dtype = dtype::Int32{};
+        desc.layout.ndim = 1;
+        desc.layout.shape[0] = 0;
+        desc.layout.stride[0] = 1;
+    }
+    return ret;
+}
+
+OP_TRAIT_REG(Barrier, imperative::Barrier)
+        .apply_on_physical_tensor(apply_on_physical_tensor)
+        .infer_output_attrs_fallible(infer_output_attrs_fallible)
+        .get_input_layout_constraint(get_input_layout_constraint)
+        .fallback();
+}  // namespace barrier
+}  // namespace
+
 namespace {
 namespace fastpathcopy {
 auto apply_on_var_node(const OpDef& def, const VarNodeArray& inputs) {

imperative/src/impl/physical_tensor.cpp

@@ -9,57 +9,384 @@
  * "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT ARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
  */
 
+#include "megbrain/imperative/physical_tensor.h"
+#include "megbrain/common.h"
+#include "megbrain/comp_node.h"
 #include "megbrain/imperative.h"
 #include "megbrain/imperative/blob_manager.h"
 #include "megbrain/imperative/profiler.h"
 #include "megbrain/imperative/resource_manager.h"
 
-#include "./async_releaser.h"
 #include "./event_pool.h"
 
 #include "./profiler/events.h"
 
+#include <condition_variable>
+#include <cstdint>
+#include <deque>
+#include <map>
+#include <memory>
 #include <mutex>
+#include <type_traits>
+#include <unordered_map>
+#include <utility>
+#include <variant>
+#include <vector>
+
+#ifndef WIN32
+#include <pthread.h>
+#endif
+
+#include "range/v3/all.hpp"
+
+namespace views = ranges::views;
 
 namespace mgb {
 namespace imperative {
 
 namespace {
 
-class CompNodeSyncManager : public CompNodeDepedentObject {
-    ThinHashMap<Blob*, std::unique_ptr<CompNode::Event>> m_blob2event;
+struct CompNodeHash {
+    auto operator()(CompNode cn) const { return mgb::hash(cn); }
+};
+
+template <typename T>
+struct NoThrowMovable : T {
+    using T::T;
+    NoThrowMovable(NoThrowMovable&&) noexcept = default;
+};
+
+template <typename... Ts>
+using Map = NoThrowMovable<std::map<Ts...>>;
+
+class CompNodeSyncManager {
+    struct CompNodeData {
+        template <typename T>
+        class ReleaseQueue {
+            Map<uint64_t, T> map;
+
+        public:
+            template <typename A>
+            void emplace(uint64_t t, A&& a) {
+                map.emplace_hint(map.end(), t, std::forward<A>(a));
+            }
+            void release(uint64_t t) {
+                auto it = map.upper_bound(t);
+                map.erase(map.begin(), it);
+            }
+        };
+
+        //! next virtual event
+        uint64_t next = 1;
+        //! last completed virtual event
+        uint64_t completed = 0;
+        //! virtual event to real event
+        Map<uint64_t, EventPtr> events;
+        //! ordering information at some virtual events:
+        //! what virtual events on other comp nodes is _sequenced before_ this virtual
+        //! event
+        Map<uint64_t, std::vector<uint64_t>> ordering;
+        //! release queue for dev storage, keyed by releaser. this comp node is the
+        //! **receiver**
+        std::vector<ReleaseQueue<BlobPtr>> release_queues;
+        //! release queue for host storage. this comp node is the **releaser**
+        ReleaseQueue<HostTensorStorage::RawStorage> host_release_queue;
+    };
+
     std::mutex m_mtx;
+    std::condition_variable m_cv;
+    bool m_should_stop = false;
+    std::thread m_polling_thread;
+    std::unordered_map<CompNode, size_t, CompNodeHash> m_cn2id;
+    std::vector<CompNodeData> m_cndata;
+
+    auto do_record(CompNode cn, size_t cnid, std::unique_lock<std::mutex>& lock) {
+        // CAUSION: don't keep reference across locking boundary
+        lock.unlock();
+        auto e = EventPool::without_timer().alloc(cn);
+        e->record();
+        lock.lock();
+        auto& cndata = m_cndata[cnid];
+        return cndata.events.emplace_hint(cndata.events.end(), cndata.next++, e);
+    }
+
+    std::pair<uint64_t, CompNode::Event*> get_event(
+            CompNode cn, size_t cnid, uint64_t t, std::unique_lock<std::mutex>& lock) {
+        auto& cndata = m_cndata[cnid];
+        auto it = cndata.events.lower_bound(t);
+        if (it == cndata.events.end()) {
+            it = do_record(cn, cnid, lock);
+        }
+        return {it->first, it->second.get()};
+    }
+
+    size_t get_cnid_unsafe(CompNode cn) {
+        auto [it, unseen] = m_cn2id.try_emplace(cn, m_cndata.size());
+        if (unseen) {
+            m_cndata.emplace_back();
+        }
+        return it->second;
+    }
+
+    void monitor_events() {
+#if defined(__APPLE__)
+        pthread_setname_np("CompNodeSync");
+#elif defined(__unix__)
+        pthread_setname_np(pthread_self(), "CompNodeSync");
+#endif
+
+        // poll events in rounds. sleep for a fixed duration between rounds.
+        // number of events to query is decided by the number of successful queries in
+        // last round, independently for each comp node:
+        // a. all -> double
+        // b. 0 -> 1
+        // c. otherwise -> #successful
+
+        struct Item {
+            size_t cnid;
+            decltype(CompNodeData::events)::iterator it;
+        };
+
+        struct Stat {
+            size_t num_success = 0;
+            size_t num_attempts = 0;
+            // iterator to the last finished event
+            decltype(CompNodeData::events)::iterator it;
+        };
+
+        std::vector<Stat> stats;
+        std::vector<Item> todos;
+        std::unique_lock lock(m_mtx);
+        for (;;) {
+            // copy events to a temporary storage so that we may unlock while polling
+            stats.resize(m_cndata.size());
+            for (size_t cnid = 0; cnid < m_cndata.size(); ++cnid) {
+                // decide max number of events to query
+                // rule c: #successful
+                size_t n = stats[cnid].num_success;
+                if (n == stats[cnid].num_attempts) {
+                    // rule a: double
+                    n *= 2;
+                }
+                if (n == 0) {
+                    // rule b: 1
+                    n = 1;
+                }
+                // now copy upto n events
+                auto& events = m_cndata[cnid].events;
+                size_t i = 0;
+                for (auto it = events.begin(); i < n && it != events.end(); ++i, ++it) {
+                    todos.push_back({cnid, it});
+                }
+                // reset stats for this round
+                stats[cnid].num_success = 0;
+                stats[cnid].num_attempts = n;
+            }
+
+            lock.unlock();
+
+            bool last_result = false;
+            size_t last_cnid = -1;
+            for (auto item : todos) {
+                if (item.cnid == last_cnid && !last_result) {
+                    // previous failed, this one almost certainly should fail
+                    continue;
+                }
+                last_cnid = item.cnid;
+                last_result = item.it->second->finished();
+                if (last_result) {
+                    stats[item.cnid].num_success++;
+                    stats[item.cnid].it = item.it;
+                }
+            }
+            todos.clear();
+
+            lock.lock();
+
+            // release dev storage
+            for (size_t receiver_cnid = 0; receiver_cnid < m_cndata.size();
+                 ++receiver_cnid) {
+                for (size_t releaser_cnid = 0;
+                     releaser_cnid < m_cndata[receiver_cnid].release_queues.size();
+                     ++releaser_cnid) {
+                    if (releaser_cnid >= stats.size() ||
+                        stats[releaser_cnid].num_success == 0) {
+                        continue;
+                    }
+                    auto& q = m_cndata[receiver_cnid].release_queues[releaser_cnid];
+                    q.release(stats[releaser_cnid].it->first);
+                }
+            }
+
+            for (size_t cnid = 0; cnid < stats.size(); ++cnid) {
+                if (stats[cnid].num_success == 0) {
+                    continue;
+                }
+                auto& cndata = m_cndata[cnid];
+                auto it = stats[cnid].it;
+                auto t = it->first;
+                // update completed
+                cndata.completed = t;
+                // release host storage
+                cndata.host_release_queue.release(t);
+                // remove completed events
+                auto& events = cndata.events;
+                events.erase(events.begin(), std::next(it));
+            }
+
+            using namespace std::literals;
+            if (m_cv.wait_for(lock, 10us, [&] { return m_should_stop; })) {
+                return;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    CompNodeSyncManager() {
+        m_polling_thread = std::thread([this] { monitor_events(); });
+    }
 
 public:
-    std::shared_ptr<void> on_comp_node_finalize() override {
-        MGB_LOCK_GUARD(m_mtx);
-        m_blob2event.clear();
-        return {};
+    ~CompNodeSyncManager() {
+        {
+            MGB_LOCK_GUARD(m_mtx);
+            m_should_stop = true;
+            m_cv.notify_all();
+        }
+        m_polling_thread.join();
     }
 
-    static CompNodeSyncManager& inst() {
-        static auto* sl_inst = ResourceManager::create_global<CompNodeSyncManager>();
-        return *sl_inst;
+    static CompNodeSyncManager& inst();
+
+    uint64_t record(CompNode cn, bool doitnow = false) {
+        std::unique_lock lock(m_mtx);
+        auto cnid = get_cnid_unsafe(cn);
+        if (doitnow) {
+            return do_record(cn, cnid, lock)->first;
+        }
+        return m_cndata[cnid].next++;
     }
 
-    CompNode::Event* get_or_create_event(Blob* blob) {
-        mgb_assert(!is_finalized());
+    void async_release(CompNode cn, uint64_t t, BlobPtr blob) {
         MGB_LOCK_GUARD(m_mtx);
-        auto&& e = m_blob2event[blob];
-        if (!e) {
-            e = blob->comp_node().create_event();
+        auto releaser_cnid = get_cnid_unsafe(cn);
+        if (t <= m_cndata[releaser_cnid].completed) {
+            return;
+        }
+        auto receiver_cnid = get_cnid_unsafe(blob->comp_node());
+        auto& qs = m_cndata[receiver_cnid].release_queues;
+        if (releaser_cnid >= qs.size()) {
+            qs.resize(releaser_cnid + 1);
         }
-        return e.get();
+        auto& q = qs[releaser_cnid];
+        q.emplace(t, std::move(blob));
     }
 
-    void remove(Blob* blob) {
+    void async_release(CompNode cn, uint64_t t, HostTensorStorage::RawStorage storage) {
         MGB_LOCK_GUARD(m_mtx);
-        m_blob2event.erase(blob);
+        auto releaser_cnid = get_cnid_unsafe(cn);
+        if (t <= m_cndata[releaser_cnid].completed) {
+            return;
+        }
+        auto& q = m_cndata[releaser_cnid].host_release_queue;
+        q.emplace(t, std::move(storage));
+    }
+
+    void device_wait(CompNode waiter, CompNode waitee, uint64_t t) {
+        std::unique_lock lock(m_mtx);
+
+        auto waiter_id = get_cnid_unsafe(waiter);
+        auto waitee_id = get_cnid_unsafe(waitee);
+        auto& waiter_data = m_cndata.at(waiter_id);
+        auto& waitee_data = m_cndata.at(waitee_id);
+        auto [t_waitee, e] = get_event(waitee, waitee_id, t, lock);
+
+        // DO NOT unlock around this line! Event* could be invalidated!
+        e->device_wait_by(waiter);
+
+        auto t_waiter = waiter_data.next++;
+        std::vector<uint64_t> ordering(m_cndata.size(), 0);
+        if (!waiter_data.ordering.empty()) {
+            auto& o = waiter_data.ordering.rbegin()->second;
+            std::copy(o.begin(), o.end(), ordering.begin());
+        }
+        ordering[waitee_id] = t_waitee;
+        ordering[waiter_id] = t_waiter;
+        {
+            auto it = waitee_data.ordering.lower_bound(t_waitee);
+            if (it != waitee_data.ordering.begin()) {
+                for (auto [a, b] : views::zip(ordering, std::prev(it)->second)) {
+                    static_assert(std::is_lvalue_reference_v<decltype(a)>);
+                    a = std::max(a, b);
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        waiter_data.ordering.emplace_hint(
+                waiter_data.ordering.end(), t_waiter, ordering);
+
+        for (auto [t, q] : views::zip(ordering, waiter_data.release_queues)) {
+            q.release(t);
+        }
     }
 };
 
+CompNodeSyncManager& CompNodeSyncManager::inst() {
+    static std::mutex mtx;
+    static std::unique_ptr<CompNodeSyncManager> inst;
+
+    struct Guard final : CompNodeDepedentObject {
+        std::shared_ptr<void> on_comp_node_finalize() override {
+            MGB_LOCK_GUARD(mtx);
+            inst.reset();
+            return {};
+        }
+    };
+
+    static std::optional<Guard> guard;
+
+#ifndef WIN32
+    static bool broken = false;
+    static struct ForkGuard {
+        ForkGuard() {
+            mgb_assert(0 == pthread_atfork(NULL, NULL, [] {
+                           if (inst) {
+                               inst.release();  // deliberate leak, unfixable
+                               broken = true;
+                           }
+                       }));
+        }
+    } fork_guard;
+#endif
+
+    MGB_LOCK_GUARD(mtx);
+    if (!inst) {
+#ifndef WIN32
+        mgb_assert(!broken);
+#endif
+        EventPool::without_timer();
+        inst.reset(new CompNodeSyncManager);
+        guard.emplace();
+    }
+    return *inst;
+}
+
 }  // namespace
 
+uint64_t record_event(CompNode cn, bool doitnow) {
+    return CompNodeSyncManager::inst().record(cn, doitnow);
+}
+
+void device_wait_event(CompNode waiter, CompNode waitee, uint64_t event) {
+    CompNodeSyncManager::inst().device_wait(waiter, waitee, event);
+}
+
+void async_release(CompNode cn, uint64_t event, BlobPtr blob) {
+    CompNodeSyncManager::inst().async_release(cn, event, std::move(blob));
+}
+
+void async_release(CompNode cn, uint64_t event, HostTensorStorage::RawStorage storage) {
+    CompNodeSyncManager::inst().async_release(cn, event, std::move(storage));
+}
+
 void EventDeleter::operator()(CompNode::Event* event) {
     EventPool::without_timer().free(event);
 }
@@ -68,31 +395,74 @@ namespace {
 std::atomic_uint64_t next_blob_id = 0;
 }
 
-Blob::Blob(const DeviceTensorStorage& s)
-        : m_comp_node{s.comp_node()},
+OwnedBlob::OwnedBlob(const DeviceTensorStorage& s)
+        : Blob(s.comp_node(), s.size() + s.offset()),
           m_storage{s.raw_storage()},
-          m_size{s.size() + s.offset()} {
-    m_id = next_blob_id++;
+          m_id{next_blob_id++} {
     BlobManager::inst()->register_blob(this);
 }
 
-Blob::Blob(CompNode cn, size_t sz) : m_comp_node{cn}, m_storage{}, m_size{sz} {
-    m_id = next_blob_id++;
+OwnedBlob::OwnedBlob(CompNode cn, size_t sz)
+        : Blob(cn, sz), m_storage{}, m_id{next_blob_id++} {
     BlobManager::inst()->register_blob(this);
 }
 
-Blob::~Blob() {
+OwnedBlob::~OwnedBlob() {
     BlobManager::inst()->unregister_blob(this);
-    CompNodeSyncManager::inst().remove(this);
 }
 
-const Blob::RawStorage& Blob::storage() {
+const Blob::RawStorage& OwnedBlob::storage() {
     if (!m_storage && m_size) {
         BlobManager::inst()->alloc_with_defrag(this, m_size);
     }
     return m_storage;
 }
 
+BlobPtr OwnedBlob::borrow_to(CompNode cn) {
+    return std::make_shared<BorrowedBlob>(
+            cn, std::static_pointer_cast<OwnedBlob>(shared_from_this()));
+}
+
+bool OwnedBlob::storage_is_unique() {
+    return m_storage.unique();
+}
+
+void* OwnedBlob::raw_ptr_not_for_readwrite() {
+    return m_storage.get();
+}
+
+BorrowedBlob::BorrowedBlob(CompNode cn, std::shared_ptr<OwnedBlob> owner)
+        : Blob(cn, owner->size()),
+          m_owner(std::move(owner)),
+          m_event(record_event(m_owner->comp_node(), true)) {}
+
+BorrowedBlob::~BorrowedBlob() {
+    async_release(m_comp_node, record_event(m_comp_node, true), std::move(m_owner));
+}
+
+const Blob::RawStorage& BorrowedBlob::storage() {
+    {
+        MGB_LOCK_GUARD(m_mtx);
+        if (!m_initialized) {
+            device_wait_event(m_comp_node, m_owner->comp_node(), m_event);
+            m_initialized = true;
+        }
+    }
+    return m_owner->storage();
+}
+
+BlobPtr BorrowedBlob::borrow_to(CompNode cn) {
+    return std::make_shared<BorrowedBlob>(cn, m_owner);
+}
+
+bool BorrowedBlob::storage_is_unique() {
+    return m_owner.unique() && m_owner->storage_is_unique();
+}
+
+void* BorrowedBlob::raw_ptr_not_for_readwrite() {
+    return m_owner->raw_ptr_not_for_readwrite();
+}
+
 Tensor::Tensor(
         BlobPtr blob, const TensorLayout& layout, size_t offset, const HostTensorND& hv)
         : m_cn(blob->comp_node()),
@@ -119,7 +489,7 @@ Tensor::Tensor(const HostTensorND& hv) : Tensor(hv.layout(), hv.comp_node()) {
         MGB_RECORD_EVENT(
                 profiler::HostToDeviceFinishEvent, hv.layout(), hv.comp_node(),
                 hv.raw_ptr(), dev_tensor().raw_ptr());
-        AsyncReleaser::inst()->add(hv);
+        async_release(hv);
     }
 }
 
@@ -174,7 +544,7 @@ void Tensor::to_contiguous_inplace(VarNode::LayoutConstraintCallback& layout_che
         DeviceTensorND dv_contig;
         dv_contig.copy_from(dv);
         m_layout = dv_contig.layout();
-        std::atomic_store(&m_blob, Blob::make(dv_contig.storage()));
+        std::atomic_store(&m_blob, BlobPtr(Blob::make(dv_contig.storage())));
         mgb_assert(m_layout.is_contiguous());
         m_offset = 0;
     }
@@ -188,7 +558,7 @@ void Tensor::to_contiguous_inplace() {
 
 void Tensor::assign_from_dev_tensor(DeviceTensorND dv) {
     MGB_LOCK_GUARD(m_blob_mtx);
-    std::atomic_store(&m_blob, Blob::make(dv.storage()));
+    std::atomic_store(&m_blob, BlobPtr(Blob::make(dv.storage())));
     m_offset = dv.storage().offset();
     m_layout = dv.layout();
 }
@@ -254,21 +624,20 @@ TensorPtr Tensor::sub(size_t offset, TensorShape shape) {
     return Tensor::make(m_blob, offset + m_offset, layout);
 }
 
-void Tensor::add_release_callback(CompNode cn) {
-    AsyncReleaser::inst()->add(m_blob, cn);
+uint64_t Tensor::get_ready_event() {
+    if (m_produced_at == 0) {
+        m_produced_at = record_event(comp_node());
+    }
+    return m_produced_at;
 }
 
-CompNode::Event* Tensor::get_or_create_event() {
-    auto e = CompNodeSyncManager::inst().get_or_create_event(m_blob.get());
-    e->record();
-    return e;
+bool Tensor::storage_is_unique() {
+    return m_blob.unique() && m_blob->storage_is_unique();
 }
 
 void Tensor::static_initialize() {
     EventPool::with_timer();
     EventPool::without_timer();
-    AsyncReleaser::inst();
-    CompNodeSyncManager::inst();
     MultiCNConstTensorCache::inst();
 }
 

imperative/src/impl/proxy_graph/mini_graph.h

@@ -836,8 +836,8 @@ public:
             if (used_cns.insert(cn).second) {
                 for (auto&& in : inputs) {
                     if (in->comp_node() != cn) {
-                        auto&& e = in->get_or_create_event();
-                        e->device_wait_by(cn);
+                        auto e = in->get_ready_event();
+                        device_wait_event(cn, in->comp_node(), e);
                     }
                 }
             }
@@ -847,11 +847,17 @@ public:
         // so we need create inference session here
         minigraph.execute(raw_inputs, raw_outputs, m_env);
         for (auto&& cn : used_cns) {
+            bool should_record = false;
             for (auto&& in : inputs) {
                 if (in->comp_node() != cn) {
-                    in->add_release_callback(cn);
+                    should_record = true;
+                    auto e = record_event(cn);
+                    async_release(cn, e, *in);
                 }
             }
+            if (should_record) {
+                record_event(cn, true);
+            }
         }
 
         return outputs;

imperative/src/impl/transformations/lazy.cpp

@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@
 
 #include "megbrain/opr/utility.h"
 
-#include "../async_releaser.h"
 #include "../mgb_cg_impl.h"
 
 namespace mgb {
@@ -73,7 +72,7 @@ ValueRefList LazyEvalTransformation::apply_transformation(
                 args.device.emplace();
                 args.device->copy_from(*args.host);
                 // every h2d in imperative runtime should notify AsyncReleaser
-                AsyncReleaser::inst()->add(*args.host);
+                async_release(*args.host);
             }
             return *args.device;
         };
@@ -155,7 +154,7 @@ ValueRefList LazyEvalTransformation::apply_transformation(
                     host_value.copy_from(inferred_value);
                     DeviceTensorND dev_value;
                     dev_value.copy_from(host_value);
-                    AsyncReleaser::inst()->add(host_value);
+                    async_release(host_value);
                     return {DeviceValue::make(dev_value)};
                 }
                 default:

imperative/src/include/megbrain/imperative/blob_manager.h

@@ -24,18 +24,18 @@ public:
 
     static BlobManager* inst();
 
-    virtual void alloc_direct(Blob* blob, size_t size) = 0;
+    virtual void alloc_direct(OwnedBlob* blob, size_t size) = 0;
 
-    virtual void alloc_with_defrag(Blob* blob, size_t size) = 0;
+    virtual void alloc_with_defrag(OwnedBlob* blob, size_t size) = 0;
 
     virtual void set_allocator(allocator_t allocator) = 0;
 
     virtual DeviceTensorND alloc_workspace_with_defrag(
             CompNode cn, TensorLayout& layout) = 0;
 
-    virtual void register_blob(Blob* blob) = 0;
+    virtual void register_blob(OwnedBlob* blob) = 0;
 
-    virtual void unregister_blob(Blob* blob) = 0;
+    virtual void unregister_blob(OwnedBlob* blob) = 0;
 
     virtual void defrag(const CompNode& cn) = 0;
 };

imperative/src/include/megbrain/imperative/physical_tensor.h

@@ -11,12 +11,16 @@
 
 #pragma once
 
+#include <cstdint>
 #include <memory>
 #include <mutex>
+#include <type_traits>
+#include <variant>
 
 #include "megbrain/graph.h"
 #include "megbrain/imperative/resource_manager.h"
 #include "megbrain/tensor.h"
+#include "megbrain/utils/metahelper.h"
 
 namespace mgb {
 namespace imperative {
@@ -26,35 +30,67 @@ class Blob;
 using BlobPtr = std::shared_ptr<Blob>;
 
 class BlobManagerImpl;
+class OwnedBlob;
+
+class Blob : public NonCopyableObj, public std::enable_shared_from_this<Blob> {
+protected:
+    CompNode m_comp_node;
+    size_t m_size;
+
+    Blob(CompNode cn, size_t size) : m_comp_node(cn), m_size(size) {}
 
-class Blob : public NonCopyableObj {
 public:
-    Blob(const DeviceTensorStorage& s);
-    Blob(CompNode cn, size_t sz);
-    ~Blob();
+    virtual ~Blob() = default;
 
     template <typename... Args>
-    static BlobPtr make(Args&&... args) {
-        return std::make_shared<Blob>(std::forward<Args>(args)...);
+    static std::shared_ptr<OwnedBlob> make(Args&&... args) {
+        return std::make_shared<OwnedBlob>(std::forward<Args>(args)...);
     }
 
+    const CompNode& comp_node() const { return m_comp_node; }
+    size_t size() const { return m_size; }
     using RawStorage = DeviceTensorStorage::RawStorage;
-    const RawStorage& storage();
+    virtual const RawStorage& storage() = 0;
+    virtual BlobPtr borrow_to(CompNode) = 0;
+    virtual bool storage_is_unique() = 0;
+    virtual void* raw_ptr_not_for_readwrite() = 0;
+};
 
-    const CompNode& comp_node() const { return m_comp_node; }
+class OwnedBlob final : public Blob {
+    friend class Blob;
 
-    size_t size() const { return m_size; }
+public:
+    OwnedBlob(const DeviceTensorStorage& s);
+    OwnedBlob(CompNode cn, size_t sz);
+    ~OwnedBlob() override;
 
-    size_t id() const { return m_id; }
+    const RawStorage& storage() override;
+    BlobPtr borrow_to(CompNode) override;
+    bool storage_is_unique() override;
+    void* raw_ptr_not_for_readwrite() override;
 
 private:
     friend class BlobManagerImpl;
-    CompNode m_comp_node;
-    mutable RawStorage m_storage;
-    size_t m_size = 0;
+    RawStorage m_storage;
     size_t m_id;
 };
 
+class BorrowedBlob final : public Blob {
+    std::mutex m_mtx;
+    std::shared_ptr<OwnedBlob> m_owner;
+    uint64_t m_event;
+    bool m_initialized = false;
+
+public:
+    BorrowedBlob(CompNode, std::shared_ptr<OwnedBlob>);
+    ~BorrowedBlob() override;
+
+    const RawStorage& storage() override;
+    BlobPtr borrow_to(CompNode) override;
+    bool storage_is_unique() override;
+    void* raw_ptr_not_for_readwrite() override;
+};
+
 struct EventDeleter {
     void operator()(CompNode::Event*);
 };
@@ -121,6 +157,8 @@ public:
 
     BlobPtr& blob() { return m_blob; }
 
+    void* raw_ptr_not_for_readwrite() { return m_blob->raw_ptr_not_for_readwrite(); }
+
     void fetch_value();
     bool value_fetched();
     TensorPtr sub(size_t offset, TensorShape shape);
@@ -131,8 +169,10 @@ public:
     // return a pointer instead of a reference to ensure thread safety
     const HostTensorND* try_get_value();
 
-    void add_release_callback(CompNode cn);
-    CompNode::Event* get_or_create_event();
+    void set_ready_event(uint64_t event) { m_produced_at = event; }
+    uint64_t get_ready_event();
+
+    bool storage_is_unique();
 
     // Make sure all static objects required to destruct a tensor has completed
     // construction. All static storage duration object that holds tensors must
@@ -152,8 +192,37 @@ private:
     std::mutex m_value_mtx;
     HostTensorND m_value;
     EventPtr m_value_ready = nullptr;
+    uint64_t m_produced_at = 0;
 };
 
+/*!
+ * \brief record a virtual event
+ * \param doitnow also record a real event
+ */
+uint64_t record_event(CompNode cn, bool doitnow = false);
+
+//! make a device wait on a virtual event
+void device_wait_event(CompNode waiter, CompNode waitee, uint64_t event);
+
+//! hold a blob until a virtual event on a device is completed
+void async_release(CompNode cn, uint64_t event, BlobPtr blob);
+
+//! hold a host tensor until a virtual event on a device is completed
+void async_release(CompNode cn, uint64_t event, HostTensorStorage::RawStorage storage);
+
+inline void async_release(CompNode cn, uint64_t event, Tensor& tensor) {
+    async_release(cn, event, tensor.blob());
+}
+
+inline void async_release(CompNode cn, uint64_t event, const HostTensorND& hnd) {
+    async_release(cn, event, hnd.storage().raw_storage());
+}
+
+inline void async_release(const HostTensorND& hnd) {
+    auto cn = hnd.comp_node();
+    async_release(cn, record_event(cn, true), hnd);
+}
+
 // Cache for small blobs
 // 1. A blob has to be seen twice (within a window) to be eligible for cache
 // 2. Cache eviction occurs when cache size reaches a threshold, in least frequently

src/core/impl/comp_node/impl_helper.cpp

@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ bool CompNodeImplHelper::EventImplHelper::finished() {
     mgb_assert(m_recorded);
     if (do_finished()) {
         m_finished = true;
-        m_recorded = false;
+        // m_recorded = false;
         return true;
     }
     return false;

src/core/include/megbrain/ir/ops.td

@@ -120,6 +120,19 @@ def Copy: MgbHashableOp<"Copy"> {
   );
 }
 
+def Borrow: MgbHashableOp<"Borrow"> {
+  let extraArguments = (ins
+    MgbCompNodeAttr:$comp_node
+  );
+}
+
+def Barrier: MgbHashableOp<"Barrier"> {
+  let extraArguments = (ins
+    MgbCompNodeAttr:$comp_node,
+    MgbUI32Attr:$nr_outputs
+  );
+}
+
 def Argsort: MgbHashableOp<"Argsort", [ArgsortParam]>;
 
 def Argmax : MgbHashableOp<"Argmax", [AxisParam]>;