Dual Graphics Subsystem Power Management via Dynamic Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in reducing power consumption in electronic devices with multiple graphics processors while maintaining performance, as higher power-consuming graphics subsystems are often used for enhanced capabilities, leading to increased overall energy usage.
Innovation Solution
Transitioning from a higher power-consuming graphics subsystem to a lower power-consuming one, while placing the former in a lower power mode, effectively reducing overall power consumption without requiring a device reboot, and dynamically managing this switch through software control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a higher power-consuming graphics subsystem is used to provide enhanced graphics capabilities and performance, then graphics processing performance is improved, but overall power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between integrated and discrete graphics subsystems based on workload requirements. The method monitors application demands and automatically transitions between graphics processors, allowing the system to adapt its power consumption and performance characteristics in real-time rather than being fixed in one state
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the graphics subsystem by switching between two distinct configurations: the integrated graphics processor operating independently, and the discrete graphics processor operating independently or in conjunction with the integrated subsystem. This parameter change allows the system to optimize the balance between performance and power consumption based on specific operational requirements
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple graphics subsystems are integrated to provide both high performance and power efficiency, then graphics capabilities are enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs an intermediary switching mechanism that manages the interaction between the integrated and discrete graphics subsystems. This intermediary layer handles the complexity of coordinating between two graphics processors, allowing each subsystem to operate independently when needed while simplifying the overall system architecture by providing a clear separation of functions
Solution Approach 2:
The graphics processing functionality is segmented into two independent subsystems: an integrated graphics processor and a discrete graphics processor. Each subsystem can operate autonomously, and the system divides the graphics workload between them based on requirements. This segmentation reduces complexity by allowing each component to be optimized independently while providing versatile graphics capabilities
Data Source
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AI summary
Many computing device may now include two or more graphics subsystems. The multiple graphics subsystems may have different abilities, and may, for example, consume differing amount of electrical power, with one subsystem consuming more average power than the others. The higher power consuming graphics subsystem may be coupled to the device and used instead of, or in addition to, the lower power consuming graphics subsystem, resulting in higher performance or additional capabilities, but increased overall power consumption. By transitioning from the use of the higher power consuming graphics subsystem to the lower power consuming graphics subsystem, while placing the higher power consuming graphics subsystem in a lower power consumption mode, overall power consumption is reduced.