Network Fabric Bandwidth Budgeting for Peak Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network fabrics in computing systems are designed to handle worst-case scenarios, leading to excessive peak power consumption and increased circuit size, complexity, and inefficiency due to the mismatch between theoretical peak bandwidth and actual application bandwidth.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a bandwidth regulation circuit that predicts future power allocation needs and adjusts bandwidth allocation among network switching circuits based on power budgets, using a centralized or hierarchal structure to manage power consumption proactively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network fabric is designed to handle worst-case peak bandwidth conditions, then functional robustness is ensured, but peak power consumption increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic bandwidth allocation that adjusts network fabric resources based on actual traffic conditions. The system transitions from a static worst-case design to a dynamic allocation mechanism that scales bandwidth and power consumption according to real-time需求的, ensuring functional robustness when needed while reducing power consumption during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (bandwidth allocation, power states) based on actual traffic conditions. By monitoring traffic patterns and dynamically adjusting fabric bandwidth allocation, the system adapts between peak and non-peak states, resolving the contradiction between maintaining robustness and reducing power consumption.
2Reliability
If network fabric is designed for theoretical peak bandwidth, then worst-case conditions are handled correctly, but circuit size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network fabric into multiple controllable domains or regions that can be independently managed. By dividing the fabric into manageable segments with independent bandwidth allocation, the system can handle worst-case conditions in specific segments without requiring the entire fabric to be over-provisioned, thus reducing overall circuit complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic resource allocation that activates full bandwidth capacity only when and where needed. This dynamic approach allows the circuit design to be optimized for average conditions while maintaining the capability to handle peak loads, reducing unnecessary circuit complexity compared to a static worst-case design.
3Productivity
If fully buffered network switches are used to support unified memory space, then high bandwidth is achieved, but power consumption increases due to unused capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by allocating bandwidth resources based on actual needs rather than providing full capacity continuously. The system provides exactly the bandwidth necessary for current traffic conditions, avoiding the excessive power consumption associated with fully buffered switches operating at partial capacity, while maintaining the ability to provide high bandwidth when actually needed.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a system-on-chip that includes a plurality of agents configured to generate data transactions, a communication network configured to transfer transactions between two or more of the agents, a plurality of network switches, and a bandwidth regulation circuit. The network switching circuits may be coupled to the agents and to the network. One of the network switches may be configured to estimate a bandwidth need for transactions to be sent via the network switch in an upcoming window. The bandwidth regulation circuit may be configured to moderate power consumption of the network by determining a bandwidth budget using a network power budget for the upcoming time window, and determining a global bandwidth forecast using estimated bandwidth needs received from the network switches. The bandwidth regulation circuit may also be configured to allocate, using the global bandwidth forecast, the bandwidth budget among the network switches.