Clock Management Circuit for Power Reduction in Processor Delays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Processors unnecessarily consume power due to clock toggling during short waiting periods, such as during NOP operations, as existing delay functions do not effectively manage clock signals.
Innovation Solution
A clock management circuit that selectively generates a second clock based on clock management information, allowing for clock gating to suspend clock transmission to the processor during designated time periods, thereby reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a software delay function (NOP) is used to make the processor wait during a short time period, then the processor can complete hardware operations or maintain instruction pipeline integrity, but the processor unnecessarily consumes power due to clock toggling
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-calculating the delay period and preparing clock gating control signals before the delay operation begins. The clock management circuit receives the delay period information in advance and configures the appropriate gating strategy, ensuring that clock toggling is suspended exactly when needed without affecting instruction pipeline integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The clock management circuit acts as an intermediary between the processor and the clock generator. It receives delay period information from the processor, determines the appropriate clock gating strategy, and controls the clock signal accordingly. This intermediary component enables precise control of clock toggling during delay operations, reducing power consumption while maintaining processor functionality.
2Reliability
If the processor waits for completion of a hardware operation using a delay function, then the hardware operation can complete properly, but clock toggling continues to occur consuming unnecessary power
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic action by suspending clock toggling during the delay period when the processor waits for hardware operation completion. The clock management circuit generates control signals that periodically gate the clock signal based on the delay period information, allowing the processor to wait without continuous clock toggling, thus reducing power consumption while ensuring hardware operations complete properly.
3Use of energy by moving object
If clock gating is implemented to suspend clock transmission during delay periods, then power consumption is reduced, but the system must accurately manage clock signals to maintain instruction pipeline integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The clock management circuit performs multiple functions: it receives delay period information from the processor, calculates the appropriate delay period, generates clock gating control signals, and suspends clock toggling during the delay period. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional circuit, the system reduces power consumption through clock gating while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate control mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, the integrated circuit includes a clock generator configured to selectively generate a first clock; a processor configured to perform operations; and a clock management circuit. The clock management circuit is configured to receive clock management information from the processor and selectively generate a second clock based on the clock management information and the first clock. The processor is configured to perform some operations based on the second clock.