Hierarchical Control Circuits for Asynchronous Power-Performance Tuning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The performance and power consumption of computing devices with asynchronous circuits are difficult to precisely identify due to fluctuations based on operation type, data processed, and temperature, making it challenging to accurately control and optimize their operation.
Innovation Solution
A hierarchical control circuit system is implemented, with a top-level control circuit determining operating states by comparing information to thresholds and communicating commands to local control circuits to adjust operating parameters of asynchronous circuits, allowing for more precise control of power consumption and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If asynchronous circuits are used to reduce power consumption and eliminate clock generation circuits, then energy efficiency is improved, but performance and power consumption become difficult to precisely identify and control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where performance monitors continuously measure operating information from asynchronous circuit blocks and feed it back to control circuits. This enables dynamic adjustment of operational parameters based on actual performance and power consumption measurements, resolving the difficulty of precisely identifying these characteristics while maintaining energy efficiency benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical clock-based control systems with asynchronous circuits that use event-driven operation. This substitution eliminates the need for global clock signals and associated control infrastructure, reducing power consumption while introducing new measurement and control challenges that are addressed through electronic monitoring and feedback systems
2Device complexity
If asynchronous circuits operate without global clock control, then device complexity is reduced, but performance fluctuates based on operation type, data processed, and temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the control system into hierarchical levels with top-level control circuits managing overall device operation and local control circuits managing individual asynchronous circuit blocks. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each block while maintaining system-wide coordination, reducing overall device complexity while stabilizing performance through localized control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts operational parameters such as voltage, frequency, and power supply levels based on measured performance and environmental conditions like temperature. This parameter adaptation compensates for performance fluctuations caused by varying operation types and environmental factors, maintaining stability without requiring complex clock generation circuits
3Measurement precision
If performance monitors and control circuits are added to identify and control asynchronous circuits, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs control circuits and performance monitors that serve multiple functions: measuring performance, monitoring power consumption, providing feedback for dynamic adjustment, and coordinating operation across different circuit blocks. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated circuits for each function, improving measurement precision while limiting the increase in overall device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
The described embodiments include a computing device with one or more asynchronous circuits and control circuits that control the operation of the asynchronous circuits. In some embodiments, the control circuits are arranged in a hierarchy with a top-level control circuit atop the hierarchy and one or more local control circuits lower in the hierarchy. In these embodiments, the top-level control circuit processes operating information for the one or more asynchronous circuits and/or other functional blocks in the computing device to determine an operating state for the computing device. Based on the operating state, the top-level control circuit communicates commands to the local control circuits to cause the local control circuits to operate in corresponding operating modes. Based on a corresponding operating mode command, each local control circuit sets one or more operating parameters for corresponding asynchronous circuits (and/or one or more other functional blocks).