Bifurcated Thread Scheduler for Automatic Low Power Mode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multithreaded processors face challenges in power management due to increased performance leading to higher power consumption, with existing techniques requiring sophisticated control schemes and significant information about processor state, and there is a need for a simple, automatic power conservation method with minimal performance penalty.
Innovation Solution
A bifurcated thread scheduler that automatically enters a default low power sleep mode when all threads are blocked, without issuing a wait instruction, and performs housekeeping functions before entering this mode, allowing for power conservation without degrading processor performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multithreaded processors execute multiple threads concurrently to improve performance, then instructions per clock cycle increase, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processor periodically transitions between active multithreaded execution and low-power sleep mode based on thread blocking status. When all threads are blocked, the processor enters sleep mode periodically to conserve power, then resumes execution when threads become unblocked, creating a periodic on-off execution pattern that reduces average power consumption while maintaining productivity when needed
2Loss of energy
If sophisticated control schemes are used to manage power states, then power conservation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thread scheduler automatically monitors thread blocking status and autonomously transitions the processor to low-power sleep mode without requiring external control signals or complex management logic. The scheduler serves itself by using its existing thread state information to make power management decisions, eliminating the need for separate sophisticated control schemes while achieving effective power conservation
3Use of energy by moving object
If the processor enters low power mode when threads are blocked, then power consumption decreases, but execution time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processor performs preliminary actions by maintaining thread state information and blocking status in the thread scheduler before entering low-power mode. This preliminary preparation allows the processor to quickly resume execution from the exact blocking point without losing thread context or requiring lengthy recovery sequences, thereby minimizing execution time loss while still achieving power savings during blocked states
Data Source
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AI summary
A processor comprises a processor core executing multiple threads. A bifurcated thread scheduler includes an internal processor core component and an external processor core component. The bifurcated thread scheduler identifies when all of the multiple threads are blocked and thereafter automatically enters a default low power sleep mode.