Multi-processor system load balancing via dynamic clock adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-processor systems often experience operational bottlenecks due to uneven load distribution between processing units, leading to underutilization and limited system efficiency, as few software programs support dual CPU or multi-core processors, resulting in only one processing unit being actively used while the other remains idle.
Innovation Solution
A method to dynamically adjust power supply and clock frequencies of processing units by detecting load concentrations using hardware or software monitors, allowing the control unit to redistribute power and increase clock speeds for heavily loaded units while reducing power and clock speeds for less loaded units, thereby optimizing system throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple processing units are provided in a multi-processor system, then the theoretical operation capability is doubled, but the system efficiency increases only limitedly when operation bottleneck occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic clock frequency adjustment for each processing unit based on its actual workload. The clock generator receives control signals from the control unit to adjust the clock frequency of individual processing units (e.g., first processing unit at 100% frequency, second processing unit at 50% frequency) according to load detection results, enabling the system to adapt to varying operational demands and reduce bottlenecks caused by fixed-frequency operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters (clock frequency and power supply) of processing units dynamically. When load concentration is detected on a specific processing unit, the control unit adjusts the clock frequency and power supply for that unit while reducing resources for other units, thereby optimizing overall system throughput and reducing bottleneck effects.
2Reliability
If the second processing unit waits for data from the first processing unit, then data dependency is satisfied, but the second processing unit cannot operate at full capability
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts clock frequencies based on detected load patterns. When the control unit detects that the first processing unit has high load and the second processing unit is waiting for data, it can adjust the clock frequency of the second processing unit to a lower level, allowing it to continue operating at reduced speed rather than idling completely, thus maintaining productivity while satisfying data dependencies.
3Speed
If power supply is increased for the processing unit with high load, then the processing speed can be enhanced, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts both clock frequency and power supply parameters based on detected load concentration. When a processing unit is identified as having high load, the control unit increases its clock frequency and power supply accordingly, while reducing power supply for other processing units. This dynamic parameter adjustment optimizes the balance between processing speed and power consumption by allocating resources only where needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-processor system and a performance adjustment method thereof are disclosed. The multi-processor system includes a first processing unit and a second processing unit, the performance adjustment method includes: first, detecting the load of each processing unit to obtain corresponding detected data; then, determining whether one of the processing units has the most load; finally, if the first processing unit has the most load, increasing the power supply to the first processing unit.