Functional Block Clock Gating for Graphics Processor Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clock-gating techniques in electronic chips face challenges in reducing power consumption effectively, as they often result in long latency and disruption of data processing when enabling or disabling clock signals, especially in large and complex chip designs, particularly in mobile devices.
Innovation Solution
Implementing functional block level clock-gating by using clock gates to dynamically control the clock signal based on the status and data flow within a graphics processing pipeline, allowing for temporary disabling and enabling of clock signals to specific functional blocks, thereby reducing power consumption without significantly affecting processing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If clock signal is deactivated to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but latency and disruption of data processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The chip is divided into multiple functional blocks, each with its own clock signal and clock gating mechanism. This allows selective deactivation of individual functional blocks without affecting the entire chip, enabling power reduction while maintaining processing capability in active regions and minimizing latency through localized control.
Solution Approach 2:
The clock gating mechanism dynamically adjusts clock signals based on operational status of functional blocks. Clock signals are selectively enabled or disabled in real-time according to data flow requirements, allowing the system to adapt between power-saving mode and high-performance mode without fixed latency penalties.
2Loss of energy
If clock signal is deactivated for power savings, then power consumption is reduced, but disruption of data processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the chip into independent functional blocks with separate clock control, the system can deactivate only inactive blocks while maintaining continuous operation in active blocks. This segmentation prevents data processing disruption in regions that remain operational.
Solution Approach 2:
The clock gating mechanism incorporates feedback from data flow status and functional block operational state to dynamically control clock signals. This feedback ensures that clock deactivation occurs only when functional blocks are truly idle, preventing data processing disruption and maintaining reliability.
3Loss of energy
If functional block level clock-gating is implemented, then power consumption is reduced with minimal latency, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clock gating mechanism serves multiple functions: power management, data flow control, and performance optimization. By making the clock control system multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving significant power savings.
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of the invention includes receiving an indicator of a flow of data associated with a graphics processing stage within a graphics pipeline of a graphics processor. A clock signal to a portion of the graphics processing stage is modified based on a status of the flow of data. The clock signal is received from a clock signal generator within the graphics processor.