CPU Core Control for Thermal and Performance Balance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing semiconductor devices face challenges in balancing temperature control and performance, as cutting off power to CPU cores to prevent temperature rises can lead to sudden performance deterioration, with existing solutions focusing solely on temperature suppression without considering performance implications.

Innovation Solution

A semiconductor device configuration that varies the number of CPU cores and operating frequency based on temperature thresholds, using performance and power consumption tables to optimize operating conditions for minimal power consumption while maintaining processing capacity, thereby controlling temperature and performance simultaneously.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If power supply to CPU cores is cut off to prevent temperature rise, then temperature control is improved, but processing performance deteriorates suddenly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature controlVSAvoidprocessing performance
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the operating conditions of CPU cores adjustable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically changes the number of operating CPU cores and their operating frequencies based on real-time temperature measurements, allowing the system to adapt between temperature control and performance maintenance without sudden drops

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes physical parameters (number of operating CPU cores and operating frequencies) based on temperature conditions. By adjusting these parameters gradually and selectively rather than completely shutting down cores, the system achieves temperature control while maintaining adequate processing performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the number of operating CPU cores is increased to maintain performance, then processing performance is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing performanceVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the number of operating CPU cores and their frequencies based on actual workload and temperature conditions. This allows the system to use more cores when performance is needed and fewer cores when power saving is prioritized, optimizing the balance between performance and power consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes operational parameters (number of active cores and clock frequencies) to match actual system needs. By adjusting these parameters rather than maintaining a fixed high-performance state, the system reduces power consumption while maintaining necessary performance levels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3343317B1Semiconductor device
Publication Date: 2023.11.22 RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORP
  • EP3343317B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3343317B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3343317B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An operating condition is controlled from viewpoints of both processing capacity and power consumption. A CPU 11 includes, for example, a plurality of CPU cores 11a to 11d, and is configured to such that an operating condition can be varied. A performance table 26 is a table representing a relationship between the operating condition of the CPU 11 and the processing capacity of the CPU 11. A power consumption table 27 is a table representing a relationship between the operating condition of the CPU 11 and power consumption. An operation control unit 22 controls the operating condition of the CPU 11 referring to the performance table 26 and the power consumption table 27.