CPU Frequency Control via Memory Power Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Scaling (DVFS) techniques fail to reduce power consumption in CPUs when CPU utilization is high, as they prioritize performance over power efficiency, leading to increased power consumption due to performance degradation.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus that measures power consumption and adjusts the operating frequency of its arithmetic processing unit based on the measured power consumption, using an operating frequency table to determine optimal frequencies that balance performance and power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the operating frequency of the CPU is lowered to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but application execution time is prolonged due to performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic frequency adjustment by continuously monitoring memory power consumption and adapting the CPU operating frequency in real-time. The frequency is dynamically lowered when memory power consumption is low (indicating memory-intensive applications where CPU frequency has less impact) and raised when memory power consumption is high (indicating CPU-intensive applications), thus optimizing the balance between power consumption and execution time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating frequency parameter of the CPU based on measured memory power consumption levels. By adjusting this critical parameter according to the application's memory access patterns, the system achieves significant power savings for memory-intensive workloads while maintaining acceptable performance
2Reliability
If the operating frequency is set to a high frequency when CPU utilization is high, then performance degradation is prevented, but power consumption of the CPU is not reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where memory power consumption is continuously measured and used to adjust CPU frequency settings. This closed-loop control allows the system to respond to actual workload characteristics, lowering frequency when memory power consumption indicates memory-intensive operations, and maintaining high frequency only when necessary for CPU-intensive tasks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary measurement of memory power consumption before adjusting CPU frequency. By monitoring memory power consumption as an indicator of application type, the system can proactively adjust frequency to match the upcoming computational demands, preventing unnecessary power consumption before it occurs
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus 1 includes a memory 13 that stores information used for arithmetic processing. The information processing apparatus 1 includes a CPU 11 that operates arithmetic processing by using the information stored in the memory 13. The information processing apparatus 1 includes a measuring unit 15 that measures power consumption of the memory 13. The information processing apparatus 1 includes a CPU frequency controlling unit setting unit 31 that sets an operating frequency of the CPU 11 according to the power consumption measured by the measuring unit 15.