Event-Controlled Clock Switching for Energy Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In embedded processor applications, energy consumption is a significant concern due to the dependence on clock frequency and instruction execution, with software-controlled clock frequency increases leading to higher energy consumption and potential task failure in energy-harvesting applications.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for automatically adjusting clock frequency in response to detected events using a clock generator with configuration registers and selection circuitry, allowing for clock reconfiguration without software intervention, thereby reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If software-controlled clock frequency adjustment is used, then clock frequency can be changed, but energy consumption increases and task completion may fail
Solution Approach 1:
The clock generator is designed to automatically detect events and adjust clock frequency without requiring software intervention. The system monitors events through detection circuitry and autonomously reconfigures the clock signal parameters, allowing the clock generation system to serve itself rather than requiring external software control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces software-based clock frequency control with a hardware-based event detection and clock reconfiguration system. Instead of using software instructions to change clock frequency, the system uses hardware detection circuits that automatically trigger clock generator reconfiguration, substituting a mechanical/hardware control mechanism for software control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If software intervention is used for clock reconfiguration, then clock frequency can be changed, but processing time is lost due to instruction execution
Solution Approach 1:
The clock generator automatically detects events and reconfigures itself without requiring software instructions. The detection circuitry monitors system events and directly triggers clock frequency changes, eliminating the need for software intervention and the associated execution time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures multiple clock settings in the clock generator, allowing rapid switching between predefined frequencies. When an event is detected, the system can immediately switch to the appropriate pre-configured clock frequency without requiring time-consuming software calculation or configuration.
3Productivity
If high clock frequency is maintained, then task execution speed is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clock frequency is dynamically adjusted based on detected events rather than maintaining a fixed high frequency. The system transitions between different clock frequencies according to operational requirements, using higher frequencies when tasks require fast execution and lower frequencies during idle or low-demand periods, optimizing the balance between productivity and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the clock frequency parameter in response to detected events. By monitoring system state through event detection and adjusting the clock frequency parameter accordingly, the system adapts its operational characteristics to match actual workload requirements, reducing energy consumption during low-demand periods while maintaining high execution speed when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for controlling clock generation. A system includes a processor configured to execute instructions retrieved from memory, and a clock generation system coupled to the processor. The clock generation system is configured to generate a clock signal that the processor applies to execute the instructions. The clock generation system includes a plurality of configuration registers and selection circuitry. Each of the configuration registers includes fields that control a frequency of the clock signal. The selection circuitry selects which of the plurality of configuration registers determines the frequency at a given time.