Multiprocessor Power Control for Speed and Energy Trade-off
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multiprocessor systems, resuming power supply after a wait state causes delays due to voltage stabilization and context restoration times, impacting processing speed and power saving efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A multiprocessor control apparatus that cancels power supply restrictions before the last processor finishes its operation, allowing for simultaneous power stabilization and context restoration, thereby reducing overall processing time and improving power saving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If power supply is stopped to save power during wait state, then power consumption is reduced, but processing speed is impaired due to voltage stabilization time and context restoration time
Solution Approach 1:
The power control unit cancels power supply restriction in advance before the last processor finishes its operation, rather than waiting until all processors have completed. This preliminary action allows the processor to stabilize voltage and restore context while still in wait state, so that when power is fully restored, the processor can immediately execute subsequent operations without delay
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the timing of power supply cancellation based on the operational status of other processors. By monitoring when other processors complete their operations and canceling power restriction at the optimal moment (before the last processor finishes), the system achieves a balance between power saving and processing speed
2Loss of energy
If power supply is completely stopped, then power saving is maximized, but time is lost due to context saving and restoration operations
Solution Approach 1:
Context is saved to memory before power supply is completely stopped, and restoration is initiated before power supply is fully restored. This overlapping timing ensures that context operations are performed in parallel with power stabilization, eliminating sequential time loss
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action by overlapping the context save/restore operations with the power supply transition period. Instead of sequential execution (power stop → context save → power restore → context restore → execution), the system achieves parallel execution where context operations occur during power transitions
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a multiprocessor control apparatus that restrains impairment of processing speed of entire operations, while pursuing power consumption saving for a multiprocessor. The multiprocessor control apparatus has: an execution control unit operable to control a processor to, when processors other than the processor have ended respective operations performed in parallel, start performing an operation that uses a result of the operations; and a power control unit operable to control power supply to the processor, where when the processor has been under power-supply restriction, the power control unit cancels the power-supply restriction before one of the other processors, which is the last of all the other processors to end a corresponding operation, ends the corresponding operation.