Dynamic Performance State Manager for Power Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power management techniques in data processing systems lack accuracy and reliability as they do not account for the actual states of system components, leading to inefficient power management and lack of control over multiple components.

Innovation Solution

A dynamic performance state manager (DPSM) unit is introduced to determine the current system performance state based on the actual states of components and required performance states, adjusting performance levels such as frequency, voltage, or bandwidth, and notifying component drivers of changes to optimize power usage across the system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If conventional timer-based power management is used, then power consumption is reduced by turning off subsystems after inactivity, but power management accuracy deteriorates because it does not account for actual component states

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidpower management accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors actual component states (busy/idle, performance requirements) and adjusts power management decisions accordingly. The performance state manager receives feedback from multiple components about their current operational states and uses this information to dynamically adjust system performance states, ensuring accurate power management that reflects real-time conditions rather than relying on theoretical timer-based assumptions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If local power management control is used for individual components, then control simplicity is improved, but system-wide power optimization deteriorates because other components remain uncontrolled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol simplicityVSAvoidsystem-wide power optimization

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal power management architecture where a central performance state manager coordinates power management across multiple components simultaneously. This manager can control CPU, graphics processor, memory, and other subsystems in a coordinated manner based on overall system performance requirements. The system maintains ease of operation through automated centralized control while achieving system-wide power optimization by considering the states and requirements of all components together rather than in isolation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If system performance is maintained at high levels, then productivity is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem performanceVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic performance state management where the system automatically adjusts performance levels based on actual component states and requirements. The performance state manager continuously evaluates which components are busy or idle and adjusts the system performance state accordingly - maintaining high performance when components are active and reducing performance (and thus power consumption) when components are idle. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making performance levels adaptable rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters such as clock frequency and voltage levels based on actual component states. When components transition between busy and idle states, the performance state manager adjusts system parameters to match the actual performance requirements, thereby reducing power consumption during low-utilization periods while maintaining high productivity when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Device complexity

If theoretical assumptions are used for power management, then control simplicity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to lack of actual state consideration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol simplicityVSAvoidpower management reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service mechanism where components automatically report their actual operational states to the performance state manager. Each component monitors its own state (busy/idle, performance requirements) and provides this information to the central manager, which then makes informed power management decisions. This self-reporting mechanism eliminates the need for complex external monitoring while improving reliability by basing decisions on actual component states rather than theoretical assumptions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8645740B2Methods and systems to dynamically manage performance states in a data processing system

Publication Date: 2014.02.04 APPLE INC

AI summary

Methods and apparatuses to dynamically manage a performance state of a data processing system are described. The data processing system includes a plurality of components; one or more buses coupled to the plurality of components, and a dynamic performance state manager unit coupled to the components. The dynamic performance state manager unit is configured to receive information about a first plurality of current states of components of the system. The dynamic performance state manager unit is configured to determine a second plurality of required system performance states for the components; and to determine a current system performance state based on the first plurality and the second plurality.