Dynamic Microprocessor Configuration via Hardware Guide Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies cannot dynamically change core counts and accompanying base frequencies at runtime due to the inability of hardware to unilaterally disable running cores under OS control, limiting power management and performance optimization.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a hardware guide unit that monitors processor engines, generates rankings, and provides data to a scheduler to dynamically manage core configurations, allowing for runtime adjustments of core counts and base frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hardware is designed to allow dynamic changes to processor configuration parameters, then adaptability and power management flexibility are improved, but hardware complexity and control difficulty increase due to the need to manage running cores under OS control
Solution Approach 1:
A management interface is introduced as an intermediary between the OS and hardware components. This interface receives requests from the OS to dynamically change processor configuration parameters (core count, base frequency, TDP) and translates them into appropriate hardware control signals, thereby reducing the complexity of direct hardware control while enabling flexible dynamic reconfiguration
2Use of energy by moving object
If core count is reduced to improve power efficiency, then energy consumption decreases, but processing capability and productivity are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The processor configuration is made dynamic rather than static. The system can adjust core count, base frequency, and TDP parameters in real-time based on workload requirements and power management needs. This allows the system to optimize the balance between power consumption and processing capability by selecting appropriate configuration states for different operating conditions
3Stability of the object's composition
If processor configuration parameters are changed statically at boot-time, then system stability is improved, but adaptability to changing workload requirements is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary configuration at boot-time to establish a stable baseline state, then enables subsequent dynamic adjustments through a management interface that receives OS requests. This approach maintains system stability through controlled initialization while enabling adaptability through managed runtime reconfiguration of processor parameters
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus and method for intelligently scheduling threads across a plurality of logical processors. For example, one embodiment of a processor comprises: a plurality of cores to be allocated to form a first plurality of logical processors (LPs) to execute threads, wherein one or more logical processors (LPs) are to be associated with each core of the plurality of cores; scheduling guide circuitry to: monitor execution characteristics of the first plurality of LPs and the threads; generate a first plurality of LP rankings, each LP ranking including all or a subset of the plurality of LPs in a particular order; and store the first plurality of LP rankings in a memory to be provided to a scheduler, the scheduler to schedule the threads on the plurality of LPs using the first plurality of LP rankings; a power controller to execute power management code to perform power management operations including independently adjusting frequencies and/or voltages of one or more of the plurality of cores; wherein in response to a core configuration command to deactivate a first core of the plurality of cores, the power controller or privileged program code executed on the processor are to update the memory with an indication of deactivation of the first core, wherein responsive to the indication of deactivation of the first core, the scheduler is to modify the scheduling of the threads.