Dynamic Interrupt Routing for Lower Processor Latency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional interrupt routing in information handling systems is static, leading to high latency and potential interrupt storms, especially in systems with numerous devices, and inefficiently handles processor cores in sleep mode, causing performance degradation.

Innovation Solution

Implementing dynamic interrupt routing that assigns interrupts to processors based on current load, parking status, and type, using a system optimizer and embedded optimizer to dynamically route interrupts to the most capable processor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If static interrupt routing is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but latency increases and performance degrades

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterrupt routing complexityVSAvoidinterrupt latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic interrupt routing that adapts to changing system conditions. The interrupt routing mechanism transitions from static to dynamic by continuously monitoring processor load, sleep states, and interrupt characteristics to make real-time routing decisions, thereby reducing latency while managing complexity through adaptive behavior

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs feedback mechanisms by monitoring processor states, load conditions, and interrupt handling performance. This feedback informs the interrupt routing decisions, allowing the system to learn from past performance and optimize routing paths, thus reducing latency through data-driven adjustments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Use of energy by stationary object

If interrupts are routed to sleeping processor cores, then power consumption increases, but interrupt handling capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessor power consumptionVSAvoidinterrupt handling capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service by having processor cores autonomously manage their own sleep states and interrupt handling capabilities. Each core can independently enter low-power states when appropriate while the interrupt routing system automatically directs interrupts to active cores, eliminating the need for external power management intervention and maintaining high interrupt handling capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of processor cores dynamically by adjusting sleep states, wake thresholds, and interrupt masking based on system conditions. This allows the system to optimize the balance between power consumption and interrupt handling capability by transitioning cores between different operational states rather than maintaining a fixed configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If dynamic interrupt routing is implemented, then latency is reduced and performance improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem performanceVSAvoidinterrupt routing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the interrupt routing functionality into distinct modular components including interrupt characterization modules, processor state monitoring modules, and routing decision modules. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates easier maintenance and debugging, thereby managing system complexity while achieving improved performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The interrupt routing system is designed with universal components that can handle multiple types of interrupts and adapt to different processor states. The routing mechanism serves multiple functions including load balancing, power management, and performance optimization, thereby reducing overall system complexity through multi-functional design rather than requiring separate specialized systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250272137A1Dynamic interrupt routing to manage application performance and reduce latency

Publication Date: 2025.08.28 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

An information handling system stores an interrupt steering mode, and creates a processor set in response to receiving an assignment of the processor set to an application. In response to detecting an interrupt associated with the application, the system measures a current load of a particular processor included in the processor set. If the current load of the processor is less than a target processor load, then the system assigns the particular processor to handle the interrupt.