ON-OFF Keying Power Control for Energy Efficiency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current power management techniques for computer systems are limited by minimum voltage and frequency levels, leading to inefficiencies in energy consumption, particularly in devices like servers, desktops, and mobile phones, which contribute significantly to overall electricity usage.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a power control method using ON-OFF keying that computes an ON-OFF period, sets target frequency and voltage, and controls power gates to reduce power consumption, enabling a lower power, energy-efficient operation through software/hardware co-design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If dynamic voltage and frequency scaling is used, then power management is improved, but the minimum voltage and frequency levels limit further energy efficiency improvements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing cyclic ON-OFF keying where the processor alternates between active and idle states in a periodic manner. The system computes an ON-OFF period and repeatedly cycles through power gating operations, turning the processor off during idle periods and on during active periods, thereby achieving deeper power savings beyond the limits of traditional DVFS operating ranges
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the processor state flexible and adaptable through software-controlled power gating. Instead of being constrained to fixed voltage and frequency levels, the system dynamically transitions the processor between fully operational and completely idle states, with the timing and duration of these transitions adjusted based on workload characteristics and power savings objectives
2Device complexity
If frequency only scaling at fixed voltage is used, then power management is simplified, but minimum voltage and frequency levels still limit energy efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic ON-OFF keying to achieve power savings without complex voltage scaling. By simply cycling the processor between on and off states in a periodic manner, the system avoids the need for complex multi-level voltage and frequency scaling while achieving significant energy efficiency improvements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the power gating control function from the traditional power management framework. Instead of managing power through complex voltage and frequency adjustments, the system separates the power control mechanism as a distinct ON-OFF keying layer that operates independently, simplifying the overall power management approach while achieving deeper power savings
3Use of energy by moving object
If software-generated requests for idle states are used, then power savings are attempted, but without direct control of voltage and hardware parameters, guaranteed physical state control is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by having the power management software directly monitor and control the physical state of the processor through power gating hardware. The system receives feedback about the actual power state and adjusts the ON-OFF keying accordingly, ensuring reliable and guaranteed physical state control rather than relying on indirect software requests without hardware coordination
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and a method for controlling power of a device with power management software are described. In one embodiment, a computer implemented method initiates power control having ON-OFF keying to control power consumption of a device for energy efficiency and energy conservation. An ON-OFF period of the ON-OFF keying for the device is computed. The method sets a target frequency, a target supply voltage, and a power gate control for the device based on the ON-OFF keying.