Hardware Thread Scheduler for Multi-Processor Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional scheduling mechanisms in multi-processor systems are slow, leading to reduced performance due to inefficient thread execution scheduling.
Innovation Solution
A thread execution scheduler that performs instruction-by-instruction scheduling and determines dynamic priorities for threads based on the amount of work to be done and the time from a deadline, using hardware context switching and a hardware scheduler to optimize thread execution in a multi-processing system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional scheduling mechanisms are used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates due to slow scheduling speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces software-based scheduling mechanisms with a hardware scheduler that performs instruction-by-instruction scheduling. This substitution of mechanical/hardware system for software system directly increases scheduling speed while managing complexity through dedicated hardware circuitry designed for this specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The hardware scheduler acts as an intermediary component between the processors and the operating system, handling thread scheduling at the hardware level. This intermediary approach allows fast hardware-based scheduling decisions while still enabling software-based management and control when needed.
2Productivity
If instruction-by-instruction scheduling is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hardware scheduler is divided into multiple specialized components including a priority calculator that determines thread priorities, a scheduler that selects next instructions, and context switch hardware that manages thread state transitions. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping individual component complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes thread priorities based on real-time parameters such as deadline urgency and remaining work量. The priority calculator continuously updates priority values as thread execution progresses, allowing the scheduler to adapt to changing conditions and optimize processing efficiency without requiring complex reconfiguration.
3Productivity
If dynamic priority determination is used, then productivity is enhanced, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The priority calculator uses feedback from thread execution progress to dynamically adjust priorities. It continuously monitors how much work remains and how much time is left, then updates priority values accordingly. This feedback mechanism allows the system to make accurate scheduling decisions even with initial estimation uncertainties, as priorities are refined in real-time based on actual execution data.
Solution Approach 2:
Thread priorities are not fixed but dynamically change during execution based on remaining work and time constraints. The system transitions from static priority assignment to dynamic priority adjustment, allowing threads to be rescheduled as conditions change, which improves overall system productivity while managing measurement requirements through continuous adaptation.
Data Source
AI summary
A processing system includes a plurality of processors capable of executing a plurality of threads and supporting at least one of hardware context switching and software context switching. The processing system also includes at least one hardware scheduler capable of scheduling execution of the plurality of threads by the plurality of processors. The at least one hardware scheduler is capable of scheduling execution of the threads by performing instruction-by-instruction scheduling of the threads.