Configuration Register Scoreboard for Selective Power-Gated Saving
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods of saving and restoring configuration register states in computing systems incur delays and power consumption penalties due to the need to write the entire state to memory during power-gating transitions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a scoreboard to track configuration register writes, allowing only updated registers to be saved to memory during power-gating transitions, thereby reducing unnecessary writes and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire configuration register state is saved to memory during power-gating transitions, then the component state is fully preserved, but power consumption increases and time in power-gated mode decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the configuration register state into individual registers or groups of registers, allowing selective saving of only those that have changed since the last power-gating transition. This is achieved through a scoreboard mechanism that tracks which registers need to be saved, replacing the conventional approach of saving the entire state. This segmentation reduces the amount of data written to memory, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining complete state preservation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of performing the excessive action of saving the entire configuration register state, the patent applies partial action by saving only the necessary portion of state information. The scoreboard tracks which registers have been modified and enables selective saving of only those registers, avoiding the waste of saving unchanged registers. This partial action approach reduces power consumption and time in power-gated mode while ensuring complete state preservation.
2Reliability
If the entire configuration register state is written to memory, then all changes are captured, but unnecessary writes increase power consumption and reduce time in power-gated mode
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action through the scoreboard mechanism, which continuously tracks which configuration registers have been modified since the last power-gating transition. This tracking happens in advance, allowing the system to prepare a precise list of only the registers that need to be saved. When power-gating is required, this pre-computed information enables rapid selective saving, reducing the time spent in power-gated mode while ensuring all necessary state changes are captured.
Solution Approach 2:
The scoreboard mechanism provides feedback about which registers have been modified, enabling the system to adjust its saving behavior accordingly. This feedback loop continuously monitors register writes and updates the scoreboard, allowing the power management system to make informed decisions about what needs to be saved. This feedback-driven approach ensures complete state accuracy while minimizing unnecessary writes and reducing time in power-gated mode.
3Use of energy by moving object
If configuration registers are tracked individually, then selective saving is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a scoreboard that creates a simplified copy or representation of the configuration register state tracking requirements. Rather than implementing complex individual tracking for each register, the scoreboard provides a condensed view of which registers need attention, enabling selective saving with reduced complexity. This copying approach maintains the essential information needed for power management while avoiding the full complexity of comprehensive register-level monitoring.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for using a scoreboard to track updates to configuration state registers are disclosed. A system includes one or more processing nodes, one or more memory devices, a plurality of configuration state registers, and a communication fabric coupled to the processing unit(s) and memory device(s). The system uses a scoreboard to track updates to the configuration state registers during run-time. Prior to a node going into a power-gated state, the system stores only those configuration state registers that have changed. This reduces the amount of data written to memory on each transition into power-gated state, and increases the amount of time the node can spend in the power-gated state. Also, configuration state registers are grouped together to match the memory access granularity, and each group of configuration state registers has a corresponding scoreboard entry.