Context Switching with Processor Performance State Restoration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Management software may change processor performance states (P-states) inappropriately, leading to suboptimal execution of tasks and delays in ramping up the processor to the required state during context switches, which can disrupt task execution and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating processor performance states (P-states) into context information to ensure that tasks are executed at the correct performance level immediately upon switching, eliminating delays by allowing the processor to read and restore the appropriate P-state from the context information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If management software changes processor performance states based on utilization monitoring, then power optimization is improved, but task execution efficiency deteriorates due to inappropriate P-state changes and ramp-up delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent stores the required processor performance state (P-state) in the context information of each task before the task is executed. When a context switch occurs, the processor immediately restores the pre-stored P-state without requiring ramp-up time, thus preserving task execution efficiency while allowing power management software to monitor and adjust P-states for power optimization.
2Loss of energy
If processor performance state is changed during context switch, then power management is improved, but task execution speed deteriorates due to ramp-up delays
Solution Approach 1:
The required P-state is determined and stored in the task's context information before the task executes. During context switch, the processor simply restores this pre-determined P-state value, eliminating any ramp-up delay and ensuring immediate execution at the correct performance level while still allowing power management to function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If processor executes multiple tasks simultaneously using time division, then processor versatility is improved, but context switching complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the P-state information with the existing context information structure of tasks. By incorporating P-state as part of the task context rather than maintaining a separate management system, the solution enables multi-task processing with minimal additional complexity in the context switching mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
In example implementations, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a context switch block, a processor performance state block, and a task execution block. The context switch block is to perform a context switch. The processor performance state block is to load a processor with a processor performance state stored in a context information associated with a task. The task execution block is to execute the task with the processor operating at the processor performance state loaded from the context information.