Heterogeneous Frequency CPU Core Scheduling for Stable Performance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current multi-core CPUs face instability in performance due to varying service demands, as existing technologies cannot guarantee consistent operating frequencies across cores, leading to increased power consumption and reduced performance when different services require different computing capabilities.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a heterogeneous-frequency CPU architecture where cores are predetermined to operate at specific frequencies, allowing for stable resource allocation and matching core frequencies with task requirements through software configuration, ensuring consistent performance across varying workloads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If cores dynamically adjust frequency based on power consumption and heat dissipation conditions, then power efficiency is improved, but performance stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidperformance stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operating frequency parameter of CPU cores based on their workload requirements. High-performance cores operate at higher frequencies for compute-intensive tasks, while low-performance cores use lower frequencies for general services, optimizing both power consumption and performance stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates heterogeneous quality among cores by dividing them into high-performance and low-performance groups with different frequency characteristics. Each group is locally optimized for its intended workload type, allowing simultaneous operation at different frequency levels without mutual interference

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If all cores are configured to operate at high frequency to meet peak demand, then maximum performance is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomputing speedVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating heterogeneous core groups where high-performance cores are configured for high-frequency operation to meet peak computing demands, while low-performance cores operate at lower frequencies for routine tasks, thus achieving high productivity when needed without sustained high power consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic frequency allocation where the system can switch between different frequency configurations based on workload demands. High-performance cores can dynamically elevate to maximum frequency when compute-intensive tasks are detected, while low-performance cores maintain baseline frequencies, optimizing the balance between productivity and power consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If cores contend for shared resources freely, then resource utilization flexibility is improved, but performance predictability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation flexibilityVSAvoidperformance guarantee
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the CPU core population into distinct high-performance and low-performance groups with differentiated resource allocation policies. This segmentation allows each group to have dedicated resource guarantees while maintaining overall system flexibility through controlled sharing between groups, thus improving both adaptability and performance predictability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3571585B1Method and apparatus for implementing heterogeneous frequency operation and scheduling task of heterogeneous frequency CPU
Publication Date: 2023.01.04 ALIBABA GROUP HOLDING LTD
  • EP3571585B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3571585B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3571585B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

A heterogeneous-frequency CPU, a method and an apparatus for implementing heterogeneous frequencies, and a task scheduling method are provided. The CPU includes multiple cores, and the multiple cores have a same function but different operating frequencies of hardware. The method for implementing heterogeneous frequencies includes: determining a plurality of preset operating frequencies of the plurality of cores after the CPU starts; setting the operating frequency of each core of the plurality of cores at a respective preset operating frequency; and maintaining the set operating frequencies throughout performance of the cores. The disclosed heterogeneous-frequency CPU has stable computing performance when demand and requirements of services constantly change. The operating system can schedule a service to a core having an operating frequency that matches the service.