Adaptive Reconfiguration of Configurable Co-Processor Cores

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing CPU-based systems with configurable co-processor cores face inefficiencies in reconfiguration, particularly in multitasking environments, as manual or counter-based reconfiguration methods fail to accurately predict application usage patterns, leading to suboptimal resource allocation and performance.

Innovation Solution

An adaptive hardware reconfiguration circuit comprising a profile analysis agent, predictor agent, and optimization agent that uses application usage models and execution probabilities to determine optimal reconfiguration of co-processor cores for functionality blocks, ensuring efficient resource allocation and performance optimization based on predicted use cases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If manual or counter-based reconfiguration methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability and accuracy of predicting application usage patterns deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereconfiguration mechanism complexityVSAvoidaccuracy of predicting application usage patterns

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of application usage patterns using profile analysis agents and predictor agents before reconfiguring the co-processor cores. This allows the system to predict which applications will be executed and pre-determine optimal hardware configurations, improving adaptability without requiring complex real-time decision-making mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary components including profile analysis agents, predictor agents, and optimization agents that mediate between the executing applications and the configurable co-processor cores. These intermediaries analyze usage patterns and generate reconfiguration decisions, enabling accurate prediction of application usage without directly complicating the core reconfiguration mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If simple hardware counters are used for reconfiguration, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and optimal resource allocation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereconfiguration mechanism complexityVSAvoidoptimal resource allocation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where predictor agents continuously monitor application execution patterns and provide information to optimization agents. This feedback loop enables the system to learn from past usage and improve resource allocation decisions over time, enhancing productivity without requiring complex centralized control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The configurable co-processor cores are equipped with self-service capabilities through the optimization agent, which automatically determines optimal configurations based on predicted usage patterns. This eliminates the need for manual intervention or complex external control systems, maintaining simplicity while improving resource allocation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If counter-based automatic reconfiguration is used, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability in multitasking environments deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic reconfiguration capabilityVSAvoidsupport for multitasking environments

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the reconfiguration control into multiple independent agents: profile analysis agents for monitoring usage, predictor agents for forecasting execution patterns, and optimization agents for determining configurations. This segmentation allows each agent to specialize in specific aspects of multitasking support while maintaining ease of operation through automatic coordination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adapts its behavior based on the multitasking environment by continuously updating predictions of application execution probabilities. The optimization agent adjusts reconfiguration decisions in real-time based on changing usage patterns, enabling the system to handle diverse multitasking scenarios while maintaining automatic operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9286084B2Adaptive hardware reconfiguration of configurable co-processor cores for hardware optimization of functionality blocks based on use case prediction, and related methods, circuits, and computer-readable media

Publication Date: 2016.03.15 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Adaptive hardware reconfiguration of configurable co-processor cores for hardware optimization of functionality blocks based on use case prediction, and related methods, circuits, and computer-readable media are disclosed. In one embodiment, an indication of one or more applications for possible execution is received. Execution probabilities for respective ones of the one or more applications are received. One or more mappings of the one or more applications to one or more functionality blocks is accessed, and a net benefit of hardware reconfiguration of one or more configurable co-processor cores of a multicore central processing unit for the one or more functionality blocks is calculated based on the execution probabilities and the mappings. An optimal hardware reconfiguration is determined based on a current hardware configuration and the calculated net benefit. The configurable co-processor cores are reconfigured based on the optimal hardware reconfiguration.