GPU Task Scheduling with Priority Ring Buffers for Smooth Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
As refresh rates increase in electronic device displays, the load on the graphics processing unit (GPU) also increases, leading to GPU tasks being queued in a first-created-first-executed order, which can cause freezing and frame dropping of the currently displayed picture due to long-executing tasks blocking later tasks, especially those related to the foreground display.
Innovation Solution
The GPU tasks are sorted in descending order of priorities and allocated resources in ring buffers such that higher-priority tasks are positioned closer to the head, allowing them to be executed first, thereby reducing freezing and frame dropping without increasing GPU frequency or power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If GPU tasks are processed in first-created-first-executed order, then task execution follows simple FIFO scheduling, but high-priority display tasks are blocked by long-running low-priority tasks causing freezing and frame dropping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic task scheduling by introducing multiple priority levels and allowing tasks to be promoted or demoted based on their importance. High-priority display tasks can jump ahead of lower-priority tasks in the execution queue, making the scheduling system adaptive rather than static. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining simplicity through automated priority-based reordering while ensuring display tasks are not blocked.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the scheduler continuously monitors task characteristics and system state, then adjusts execution order accordingly. Display tasks are identified and given higher priority based on feedback about their importance to user experience, allowing the system to dynamically respond to changing conditions and prevent freezing without complex manual intervention.
2Productivity
If GPU frequency is increased to reduce task execution time, then task completion speed improves, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of changing the GPU frequency parameter, the patent changes the scheduling parameter - the order in which tasks are executed. By reordering tasks to prioritize display-related work, the system achieves faster effective completion of critical tasks without increasing power consumption. This resolves the contradiction by improving productivity through parameter optimization rather than resource escalation.
3Speed
If more ring buffers are allocated to high-priority tasks, then high-priority tasks execute faster with more resources, but resource allocation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single resource pool into multiple priority-based queues or virtual rings, where high-priority tasks are allocated resources from dedicated segments. This segmentation allows fast execution of critical tasks while keeping the allocation mechanism relatively simple through clear separation of priorities, resolving the contradiction between speed and complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application provides a task scheduling method, an electronic device, a storage medium, and a chip, and relates to the field of terminal technologies. The method includes: acquiring a plurality of graphics processing unit (GPU) tasks, and sorting the plurality of GPU tasks in descending order of priorities of GPU task types; allocating resources to the plurality of GPU tasks in a plurality of ring buffers, so that resource proportions of GPU tasks sorted higher are higher at positions closer to heads of the plurality of ring buffers; and sequentially executing the plurality of GPU tasks. By using the method, in a scenario with heavy GPU load, freezing of a currently displayed picture of an electronic device can be reduced, thereby improving the user experience. This solution requires no GPU frequency increase, so that no GPU power consumption increase is caused.