Dynamic Power Control for Processor Cores
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current power management systems for multicore processors are inefficient due to the need for costly, complex, and oversized power delivery systems designed for worst-case power consumption, leading to suboptimal performance and increased energy usage.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a dynamic power control system that allows individual cores and components to enter a 'turbo mode' for high power consumption when needed, using integrated voltage regulators and a power control unit to manage voltage and frequency independently, enabling flexible power management and reducing overall power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a power delivery system is designed for worst-case power consumption, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power control that allows the system to adapt power delivery in real-time based on actual workload conditions. The power management module dynamically adjusts power allocation to individual cores and components, enabling the system to deliver reliable power during peak demand while reducing power delivery infrastructure during low-demand periods, thus avoiding the need for oversized static power delivery systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes power consumption parameters dynamically by allowing individual cores to enter turbo modes with higher power consumption when needed, while other cores operate at lower power levels. This parameter variation enables the power delivery system to be sized for average rather than worst-case conditions, reducing complexity while maintaining reliability through adaptive power management.
2Power
If a power delivery system is designed for worst-case power consumption, then power availability is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic power control system adjusts power availability in real-time based on actual computational needs. Instead of providing maximum power continuously, the system allocates power dynamically - enabling turbo modes when computational intensity requires it, while reducing power allocation during normal operation. This dynamic approach ensures power availability when needed while avoiding the cost of provisioning for continuous maximum power delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic monitoring and adjustment of power allocation based on workload conditions. The power management module continuously assesses computational demands and periodically adjusts power delivery levels, enabling the system to maintain power availability for peak performance while operating at lower power levels during extended periods of normal workload, thus reducing overall system cost.
3Productivity
If individual cores can enter turbo mode with higher power consumption, then productivity is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements selective turbo mode activation where individual cores can enter high-power computational states independently based on their specific workload requirements. Rather than forcing all cores to operate at maximum power or uniform levels, the system applies different power qualities to different cores - enabling turbo mode only for cores handling computationally intensive tasks while keeping other cores at lower power consumption levels, thus improving overall productivity without proportionally increasing total energy use.
4Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic power control is implemented, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power control system is segmented into modular components that manage individual cores and components independently. The power management module divides the system into manageable power domains, allowing adaptive control of each segment based on its specific requirements. This segmentation enables high adaptability while controlling overall complexity by breaking down the control function into independent, standardized modules rather than requiring a monolithic complex control system.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a processor includes at least one core to execute instructions and a power control logic to receive power capability information from a plurality of devices to couple to the processor and allocate a platform power budget to the devices, set a first power level for the devices at which the corresponding device is allocated to be powered, communicate the first power level to the devices, and dynamically reduce a first power to be allocated to a first device and increase a second power to be allocated to a second device responsive to a request from the second device for a higher power level. Other embodiments are described and claimed.