Adaptive Voltage Rail Switching Sequencing for Computing Cores
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power management systems in computing devices face long latencies when switching computing cores between operating modes, leading to inefficiencies in power consumption and responsiveness, as the switching rate of power switches is set based on worst-case scenarios without considering the number of actively coupled components.
Innovation Solution
A controller determines the current operating mode of each computing core and adjusts the switching rate of power switches based on the number of components actively coupled to the voltage rail, optimizing the switching rate to reduce latency and prevent voltage droop.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the switching rate of power switches is set based on worst-case scenarios to prevent voltage droop, then voltage stability is improved, but latency in switching computing cores between operating modes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the switching rate adaptive rather than fixed. The power management controller dynamically adjusts the switching rate based on the number of actively coupled components to the voltage rail. When fewer components are active, the switching rate increases to reduce latency; when more components are active, the switching rate decreases to prevent voltage droop. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between voltage stability and switching latency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of switching rate based on system conditions. Instead of using a constant worst-case switching rate, the system monitors the number of actively coupled components and adjusts the switching rate parameter accordingly. This parameter change allows the system to optimize between voltage stability and switching speed depending on the current operational state.
2Speed
If the switching rate is increased to reduce latency, then responsiveness is improved, but voltage droop occurs on the voltage rail
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the switching rate based on the number of actively coupled components. When the number of active components is low, the switching rate is increased to improve responsiveness and reduce latency. When the number of active components is high, the switching rate is decreased to prevent voltage droop. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between switching speed and voltage stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The power management controller uses feedback from the system state (number of actively coupled components) to adjust the switching rate. This feedback mechanism ensures that the switching rate is optimized based on real-time conditions, preventing voltage droop while minimizing latency.
3Reliability
If a constant worst-case switching rate is used for all power switches, then voltage droop is prevented, but power management efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static worst-case switching rate into a dynamic parameter that adapts to system conditions. By monitoring the number of actively coupled components and adjusting the switching rate accordingly, the system achieves both voltage stability and improved power management efficiency. This dynamic approach eliminates the need to always use the conservative worst-case rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the switching rate parameter based on the operational state. Instead of using a fixed worst-case rate, the switching rate is adjusted according to the number of active components, allowing the system to optimize power management efficiency while maintaining voltage stability.
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects are described herein. In some aspects, the disclosure provides techniques for reducing latency in switching computing cores of a computing system between operating modes. Certain aspects provide a computing device including a plurality of computing cores, each configured to operate in any one of a plurality of operating modes. The computing device further includes a first voltage rail and a plurality of components, each associated with one of the computing cores. The computing device further includes a plurality of switches, each switch configured to selectively couple a corresponding one of the plurality of components to the first voltage rail. The computing device further includes a controller configured to determine a current operating mode of each of the plurality of computing cores and switch the plurality of switches at a first selected switching rate based on the determined current operating mode of each of the plurality of computing cores.