Hybrid Core Architecture Thermal Management
Solution Overview
Problem
In hybrid computing systems, cross-heating between adjacent operating regions due to close physical proximity leads to performance degradation, as power consumption in one region causes temperature increases in neighboring regions, potentially overheating higher-priority regions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a 'IP cross heating' thermal threshold for each operating region, where lower-priority regions are preemptively driven to lower power consumption to prevent overheating of higher-priority regions, and aggressively reducing power on high-priority regions when they reach a temperature threshold, allowing them to cool down more quickly and maintain performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If operating regions are placed in close physical proximity to increase integration density, then device functionality and integration are improved, but cross-heating between adjacent regions causes temperature increases and performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The system preemptively reduces power consumption in adjacent operating regions before they can cause thermal interference to high-priority regions. By monitoring the operational state and priority levels, the control logic proactively adjusts power settings to prevent cross-heating from occurring in the first place, rather than reacting after temperature thresholds are exceeded.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different thermal management strategies to different operating regions based on their priority classification. High-priority regions maintain full power consumption and performance, while low-priority adjacent regions have their power consumption reduced. This localized differentiation allows the system to manage thermal issues selectively without compromising overall system performance.
2Temperature
If power consumption is reduced in adjacent regions to prevent cross-heating, then temperature control is improved, but overall system performance and power utilization are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The system differentiates between high-priority and low-priority operating regions, applying power reduction only to low-priority regions that are causing thermal interference. High-priority regions continue to operate at full power consumption and performance levels, ensuring that critical functions are not impacted by thermal management actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control logic preemptively identifies and mitigates thermal interference by reducing power in adjacent low-priority regions before they can negatively impact high-priority regions. This preliminary counter-action prevents performance degradation in critical areas while maintaining overall system functionality.
3Reliability
If aggressive power reduction is applied to high-priority regions when temperature thresholds are reached, then thermal safety is improved, but performance and operational efficiency are significantly degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements selective thermal management where high-priority operating regions are exempt from aggressive power reduction even when temperature thresholds are approached. Instead, the system focuses power management actions on low-priority adjacent regions, allowing high-priority regions to maintain their performance and operational efficiency while still achieving thermal safety through indirect cooling.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances performance by providing additional thermal headroom and preventing overheating, ensuring that higher-priority regions operate within safe temperature limits even under thermal interference from adjacent regions.
Implementation Method 1
When a particular operating region is under heavy load, higher temperatures may result in both the operating region in question as well as neighboring/adjacent operation regions. The cross-heating of adjacent operating regions can have a negative impact on performance. Due to the close physical proximity of the IPs, the power consumption on one IP causes cross-heating on the adjacent IPs.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, apparatuses and methods may provide for technology that determines a selected priority corresponding to a selected region in a microprocessor, determines an adjacent priority corresponding to an adjacent region in the microprocessor, wherein the adjacent region is adjacent to the selected region, and places the adjacent region in a first reduced power state if the selected priority is greater than the adjacent priority and temperature of the selected region is less than a selected temperature threshold associated with the selected region.