Dynamic Processor IP Current Sharing for Workload Throttling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power management techniques in processors are inefficient and static, leading to suboptimal throttling during power excursions, which affects workload performance and energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A processor is configured to dynamically determine independent maximum current consumption capabilities for each processing circuit based on workload priority, allowing for independent throttling of processing circuits to optimize performance and energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If static power management techniques are used to control current consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but workload performance deteriorates due to suboptimal throttling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic current sharing control that adjusts current consumption limits of processing circuits in real-time based on workload characteristics and power conditions, replacing static power management with adaptive control that responds to changing system states
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of current consumption limits dynamically by modifying the maximum allowable current for each processing circuit based on workload priority and power availability, allowing optimization of both power efficiency and performance
2Use of energy by moving object
If uniform throttling is applied to all processing circuits during power excursions, then current consumption is controlled, but workload performance deteriorates due to non-selective throttling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the processing circuits into distinct controllable entities with independent current consumption limits, allowing selective throttling of individual circuits or groups based on their workload importance rather than applying uniform throttling to all circuits
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different current consumption limits to different processing circuits based on local workload characteristics and priority, allowing critical workloads to maintain higher current consumption while non-critical workloads are throttled more aggressively
Data Source
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AI summary
In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises: a plurality of intellectual property (IP) circuits, each of the plurality of IP circuits including a configuration register to store a dynamic current budget; and a power controller coupled to the plurality of IP circuits, the power controller including a dynamic current sharing control circuit to receive current throttling hint information regarding a workload to be executed on at least some of the plurality of IP circuits and generate the dynamic current budget for each of the plurality of IP circuits based at least in part thereon. Other embodiments are described and claimed.