Graphics Core Power Management via VM Request Blending
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional virtualization systems struggle to determine appropriate operating ranges for graphics processing cores to satisfy the diverse power management requirements of multiple virtual machines sharing the same resource, leading to inefficient power allocation.
Innovation Solution
A power management scheme that employs a blending and arbitration module to process and combine power control requests from multiple virtual machines, determining a unified power control request for the graphics processing core's power management unit, allowing for finer-grain control of engine operating frequencies and voltages based on the specific needs of each VM, and selectively prioritizing requests based on scheduled time slices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single graphics processing core is shared by multiple virtual machines using time-slicing, then resource utilization is improved, but determining appropriate operating ranges becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power management control by creating separate power control requests for each virtual machine, then blending them into a unified request. This segmentation allows the system to track and manage power requirements individually for each VM while still achieving coordinated control of the shared graphics processing core, thereby reducing the complexity of managing multiple VMs on a single core.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different virtual machines run different application mixes, then versatility is improved, but power management becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a blending and arbitration module as an intermediary between the multiple virtual machines and the power management unit. This intermediary receives power control requests from each VM, blends them together, and arbitrates to produce a single unified power control request. This mediator simplifies the power management process by handling the complexity of coordinating diverse application requirements, making the system easier to operate while maintaining versatility.
3Device complexity
If conventional hypervisor allocation is used, then device complexity is reduced, but power management precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management by continuously receiving and blending power control requests from multiple virtual machines in real-time. Instead of static allocation, the system dynamically adjusts power settings based on the current state and requirements of each VM, enabling precise power management that adapts to changing workloads while maintaining manageable system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus controls power management of a graphics processing core when multiple virtual machines are allocated to the graphics processing core on a much finer-grain level than conventional systems. In one example, the method and apparatus processes a plurality of virtual machine power control setting requests to determine a power control request for a power management unit of a graphics processing core. The method and apparatus then controls power levels of the graphics processing core with the power management unit based on the determined power control request.