DVFS Controller for Multi-IP Frequency Scaling Before Utilization Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
As integrated circuits become more complex with increased IP blocks, efficient power management through dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) is necessary to manage power consumption and reduce heat generation, which affects performance.
Innovation Solution
An integrated circuit with a DVFS controller that calculates workload and adjusts operating frequency based on power characteristics, using a DVFS table to classify voltages and frequencies into groups, and includes a clock management unit (CMU) and power management unit (PMU) to adjust clock signal frequency and power voltage accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If operating frequency is increased to improve performance, then productivity increases, but power consumption and heat generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) that allows the operating frequency and voltage to be dynamically adjusted based on real-time workload conditions. The DVFS controller continuously monitors workload and adjusts frequency/voltage levels accordingly, enabling the system to operate at high performance when needed while reducing power consumption during low-utilization periods. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making frequency adjustment responsive to actual performance requirements rather than maintaining a fixed high frequency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters (frequency and voltage) based on workload conditions to optimize the trade-off between performance and power consumption. By adjusting these parameters dynamically rather than maintaining fixed values, the system can achieve high productivity when workloads require it while minimizing power consumption during idle or low-utilization periods, thus resolving the technical contradiction.
2Productivity
If operating frequency is increased to improve performance, then productivity increases, but temperature increases
Solution Approach 1:
The DVFS controller dynamically adjusts operating frequency based on workload conditions, allowing the system to achieve high performance when needed while reducing frequency (and thus heat generation) during low-utilization periods. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between performance and temperature by adapting frequency to actual performance requirements rather than maintaining a constantly high frequency that would generate excessive heat.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operating parameters (frequency and voltage) based on workload to optimize the performance-temperature trade-off. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system can achieve high productivity when workloads require it while minimizing heat generation during idle periods, thus resolving the technical contradiction between performance and temperature.
3Use of energy by moving object
If DVFS control is implemented for power management, then power consumption decreases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power management function into distinct components: a DVFS controller for frequency/voltage adjustment, a workload calculator for monitoring utilization, and a DVFS table for storing pre-determined frequency-voltage-workload mappings. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function, simplifying the overall control logic while achieving effective power management. The modular structure reduces complexity compared to a monolithic power management system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a DVFS table as an intermediary data structure that stores pre-determined frequency-voltage-workload mappings. This table acts as a lookup mechanism that simplifies the control logic by providing ready-made operating point recommendations based on workload conditions. The intermediary table reduces the complexity of real-time calculations while enabling effective DVFS control.
4Use of energy by moving object
If frequency is changed reactively when utilization reaches threshold, then power consumption is reduced, but response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by proactively adjusting frequency before the workload utilization reaches the threshold value. The DVFS controller monitors workload trends and performs frequency adjustments in advance, based on projected utilization levels. This proactive approach reduces response time compared to reactive threshold-based control, while still achieving effective power consumption reduction by anticipating when frequency changes will be needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Integrated circuits are provided. In one aspect, an integrated circuit includes a plurality of intellectual property (IP) blocks; a memory configured to store a dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) table in which operating voltages and operating frequencies are classified into a plurality of groups based on power characteristics of the plurality of IP blocks, where the operating voltages and the operating frequencies correspond to utilizations; and a DVFS controller configured to calculate the workload of each of the plurality of IP blocks and control, based on the calculated workload and the DVFS table, the operating frequency provided to each of the plurality of IP blocks. The DVFS controller is configured to change the operating frequency of an IP block of the plurality of IP blocks based on the power characteristics of IP block before a utilization reaches a threshold utilization.