Hardware Clock Gating for Mesh Network Power Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computer systems face inefficiencies in power management due to the slow response time of software-based processes in identifying and adjusting clock signal frequencies, leading to inadequate power conservation during periods of low performance demand in mesh networks.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a clock regulation circuit with hardware counters in each mesh stop to rapidly adjust clock signal frequencies based on aggregated bandwidth values, allowing for quick identification and utilization of low performance demand periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If software-based processes are used to identify and adjust clock signal frequencies, then power management can be implemented, but the response time is slow and power conservation is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces software-based clock frequency adjustment with a hardware-based clock regulation circuit that uses bandwidth counters and comparison logic to automatically gate clock signals. This hardware substitution enables rapid response to bandwidth conditions without software intervention delays, directly resolving the contradiction between power management capability and response speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh network stops perform self-monitoring of bandwidth usage through hardware counters that automatically track packet transmissions. The clock regulation circuit autonomously compares aggregated bandwidth values against thresholds and gates clock signals without external software control, enabling the system to self-regulate power consumption based on actual usage patterns.
2Use of energy by moving object
If clock signal frequency is reduced to conserve power during low demand periods, then energy efficiency improves, but performance responsiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic clock frequency regulation where the mesh network clock signal is gated based on real-time bandwidth conditions. During low demand periods, the clock regulation circuit gates the clock signal to reduce power consumption, while during high demand periods, full clock signals are restored to maintain performance responsiveness. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between energy efficiency and performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses bandwidth counters in each mesh network stop to continuously monitor actual usage patterns and feed this information back to the clock regulation circuit. The comparison logic compares aggregated bandwidth values against thresholds, creating a feedback mechanism that automatically adjusts clock gating decisions based on current network conditions, ensuring both power savings during low demand and performance maintenance during high demand.
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, a processor may include a mesh network and a clock regulation circuit. The mesh network may include multiple mesh stops to operate based on a mesh clock signal. Each mesh stop may include a bandwidth counter to transmit a bandwidth count in response to a pulse of a synchronization signal. The clock regulation circuit may be to: receive a plurality of bandwidth counts from the plurality of mesh stops; aggregate the plurality of bandwidth counts to obtain an aggregated bandwidth value; determine a cycle stealing value based at least on a comparison of the aggregated bandwidth value to at least one threshold value; and gate the mesh clock signal based on the determined cycle stealing value. Other embodiments are described and claimed.