Multi-core Processor Power Management via Dynamic Energy Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-core processors face challenges in controlling power consumption for each processor core without diminishing overall performance, as existing methods often lead to inefficient use of electric power and reduced performance due to excessive power consumption and potential malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
A multi-core processor with a power management system that determines and sets a maximum supplied electric energy for each processor core, using algorithms to distribute energy based on consumed energy calculations and power statistics, allowing for precise control of power consumption and preventing malfunctions by managing energy accumulation in capacitors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If power consumption is limited to prevent excessive energy use and malfunction, then power consumption is controlled, but the issuance rate of instructions is reduced and performance is diminished
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power management by dividing the multi-core processor into individual processor cores, each with its own power management unit. This allows independent control of power consumption for each core, enabling the system to limit power consumption in specific cores while maintaining full performance in others, thus resolving the contradiction between energy control and overall productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic power management where the power management unit continuously monitors power consumption and dynamically adjusts the operation state of processor cores. By transitioning cores between active and low-power states based on real-time power conditions, the system can control overall power consumption while maintaining high performance when power is available, thus resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and productivity.
2Speed
If all transistors operate simultaneously to maximize performance, then processing speed is improved, but power consumption becomes excessive and malfunctions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the processor into multiple independent cores, each capable of simultaneous operation. This segmentation allows the system to activate multiple cores for parallel processing, achieving high processing speed while distributing power consumption across separate units, thus preventing the excessive power concentration that would occur if all transistors operated in a single core simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous useful action by keeping multiple processor cores in an operational state rather than completely shutting down. The power management unit ensures that cores remain ready for execution while consuming reduced power when not actively processing, thus maintaining processing capability without the excessive power consumption of full simultaneous operation of all transistors.
3Productivity
If power is supplied to maintain performance, then processing capability is preserved, but energy is wasted when full power is not needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power adjustment where the power management unit continuously adapts the power supplied to each processor core based on actual workload and performance requirements. When full processing capability is not needed, the system dynamically reduces power to idle or lightly-loaded cores while maintaining full power for active cores, thus preserving necessary processing capability while eliminating energy waste from supplying full power to all cores continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the power supply parameter dynamically based on system conditions. The power management unit adjusts voltage and frequency parameters of individual cores according to their current workload, transitioning from high-power states during intensive processing to low-power states during idle periods, thus maintaining processing capability when needed while reducing energy consumption when full capability is not required.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-core processor has: a plurality of processor cores; and a power management part managing power supplied to the plurality of processor cores. The power management part has a supplied electric energy determination part determining maximum supplied electric energy for each of the plurality of processor cores. The maximum supplied electric energy is an upper limit value of supplied electric energy which can be supplied to the processor core.