Dynamic Voltage Regulation via Load Line Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CPU voltage regulation methods cannot automatically adjust CPU voltage based on load conditions, leading to inefficient energy usage and performance, as users must manually set voltage levels, resulting in wasted energy and heat dissipation issues.
Innovation Solution
A voltage-controlled device that dynamically adjusts the slope and deviation of the load line using software programming, allowing for dynamic CPU voltage changes based on detected load conditions, with a voltage-controlled device comprising a load line register set and write logic to determine core voltage, and a system controller to issue write signals for register value changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual voltage setting is used to increase CPU performance, then CPU performance is improved, but energy consumption increases and heat dissipation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic load line adjustment by modifying the voltage regulator module to accept load line configuration data from software. The load line parameters (slope and deviation) are dynamically changed based on detected CPU load conditions, allowing the system to transition between power-saving and performance-optimized configurations without manual intervention. This resolves the contradiction by making voltage regulation adaptive rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where CPU load conditions are continuously monitored and used to adjust the load line parameters. The voltage regulator module receives feedback about current operating conditions and automatically adjusts voltage output accordingly, eliminating the need for manual voltage setting while optimizing both performance and energy efficiency based on actual system state.
2Productivity
If manual over-voltage is set for heavy load situations, then CPU performance is improved, but energy is wasted during light load situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the voltage regulation system dynamic by enabling software-configurable load line parameters that automatically adjust based on CPU load detection. During heavy load, the system applies higher voltage through adjusted load line parameters, while during light load, it automatically transitions to lower voltage configurations, eliminating energy waste without sacrificing peak performance capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (load line slope and deviation) based on detected CPU load conditions. By programmatically adjusting these parameters, the system optimizes voltage output for current workload requirements, ensuring high performance when needed and energy efficiency during idle periods, thereby resolving the energy waste problem associated with static over-voltage settings.
3Reliability
If fixed load line is used for voltage regulation, then system stability is maintained, but adaptability to varying load conditions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static load line into a dynamic, software-configurable parameter set. The voltage regulator module can now adapt load line parameters based on detected CPU load conditions while maintaining stability through controlled adjustment mechanisms. This allows the system to be both stable (through regulated changes) and adaptive (through load-based parameter modification).
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage regulator module gains multi-functionality by incorporating software-configurable load line parameters that can adapt to various operating scenarios. The same hardware component can maintain stability for fixed configurations while providing adaptability through programmable parameters, serving both reliability and versatility requirements simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a voltage-controlled device, method and computer device capable of dynamically regulating voltage and effectively saving energy. The voltage-controlled device receives a VID from a CPU, determines a core voltage according to a load line defined therein, and supplies the core voltage to the CPU. The voltage-controlled device has a load line register set and a write logic. The load line register set has a plurality of registers, and the values of which represent the defined load line. The write logic changes the values of the registers in the load line register set according to a write signal.