Multi-Layer Runtime Control Stack
Control interference effects in deep runtime control stacks where autonomous layers optimize locally without cross-layer coherence verification.
Scenario Definition
System Class
Deep runtime control stack with autonomous scheduler, orchestrator, runtime, and policy enforcement layers
Scale
Coordination-overhead-dominated regime with dozens to hundreds of control loops
Operational Mode
Mixed training and inference workloads with multi-objective scheduling
Decision Frequency
Sub-second decisions across multiple autonomous control layers
Recognition Pattern
Your control layers each report nominal operation, yet system-level efficiency degrades as you scale. Adding more sophisticated scheduling logic increases rather than decreases coordination overhead.
Structural Observations
The problem emerges between correctly operating control loops, not within any individual layer.
- Scheduler decisions create conditions that trigger orchestrator compensations, which in turn invalidate scheduler assumptions
- Policy enforcement introduces latency that affects scheduling decisions, creating feedback loops invisible to individual layers
- Local optimization at each layer produces globally suboptimal outcomes that no single layer can detect or correct
- Decision frequency differences between layers create temporal coupling that standard monitoring cannot observe
Stability Projection
Baseline
With Structural Control
Transition type: Coherence restoration via cross-layer alignment
Aggregated Metrics
Normalized ratios without absolute units. Baseline values crossed out, comparison values highlighted.
Decision Implication
Primary insight: If your multi-layer control stack shows degrading efficiency despite each layer reporting nominal performance, you have a structural control coherence problem.
Monitoring limitation: Per-layer metrics show healthy operation while system-level coherence degrades invisibly between correctly functioning components.
Scaling consideration: Adding more sophisticated control logic may worsen rather than improve coherence by increasing the coupling surface area.
Evidence & Artefacts
Pre-computed analysis outputs for this scenario.
Such structural findings are typically contextualized through a scoped architecture risk assessment.