Network-on-chip power gating using temperature-effect-inversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of hardware modules in system-on-chip (SoC) leads to high power consumption in network-on-chip (NoC), which accounts for 30 to 40% of the total single-chip system power, necessitating a reduction in power consumption without compromising performance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a network-on-chip (NoC) that utilizes the temperature-effect-inversion (TEI) phenomenon to optimize power gating and clock frequency, where routers are powered off based on temperature information and over-scaled clock frequencies are applied to maintain performance, reducing power consumption by leveraging the inverse relationship between temperature and signal delay in certain semiconductor circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of hardware modules is increased to improve system functionality, then the communication throughput is improved, but the power consumption of the NoC increases to account for 30 to 40% of the total single-chip system power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically changes operational parameters (clock frequency and power gating state) of routers based on temperature conditions. When temperature increases, the system exploits the TEI phenomenon where signal delay decreases with temperature, allowing routers to operate at higher clock frequencies or be powered down while maintaining overall system performance, thus reducing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of routers based on real-time temperature monitoring. The controller selectively powers down or over-scales clock frequencies of specific routers depending on temperature conditions, transforming a static NoC into a dynamic system that adapts to thermal conditions to optimize power consumption while maintaining throughput.
2Speed
If the clock frequency is increased to improve data transmission speed, then the communication performance is improved, but the power consumption of the NoC increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent exploits the parameter change in signal delay characteristics with temperature (TEI phenomenon). At elevated temperatures, signal delay naturally decreases, allowing the system to increase clock frequency beyond design maximums without compromising timing constraints, thereby improving transmission speed while the selective power gating of other routers compensates for the overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional wisdom that higher clock frequencies always require more power. By leveraging the TEI phenomenon where temperature increase reduces signal delay, the system can operate routers at higher frequencies with acceptable power consumption by selectively gating other routers, thus inverting the traditional frequency-power relationship.
3Use of energy by moving object
If power gating is applied to reduce power consumption, then the power usage is reduced, but the system performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies power gating selectively to specific routers based on their local temperature conditions and traffic patterns, rather than uniformly across the entire NoC. The controller identifies which routers can be safely powered down or over-scaled without impacting overall system performance, thus achieving local optimization that maintains global productivity while reducing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where temperature sensors monitor router temperatures and the controller adjusts power gating and clock frequency assignments based on this feedback. This closed-loop control ensures that power gating decisions are made with knowledge of current thermal and performance conditions, preventing performance degradation while achieving power savings.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively reduces NoC power consumption while maintaining performance by selectively turning off routers and increasing clock frequencies of active routers, thereby optimizing power usage and communication throughput.
Implementation Method 1
based on a temperature-effect-inversion phenomenon that a signal delay is reduced as a temperature increases
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a network-on-chip (NoC). The NoC includes a plurality of routers configured to receive power through each corresponding power gating switch, and a controller configured to control a power gating switch of each of the plurality of routers based on temperature information provided from each of the plurality of routers and control a driving clock of the plurality of routers. The controller controls the power gating switch to turn off at least one first router by referring to the temperature information and over-scale a clock frequency of at least one turned-on second router.