Package Power Zone Controller for Balanced Workload Management

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power management systems in electronic devices face challenges in controlling power consumption across multiple components, particularly when workloads are balanced, leading to increased overall power consumption and thermal issues, which can affect device performance and longevity.

Innovation Solution

A package power zone controller monitors overall power consumption across multiple components and implements various mechanisms to reduce power usage, including component-specific controllers and time constants, to manage power consumption and mitigate thermal energy generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If individual power control mechanisms are implemented for each processor component, then power consumption for workloads biased toward a specific processor can be controlled, but workloads that are more balanced across multiple processors become difficult to control and overall power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumption controlVSAvoidworkload type coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

A package power zone controller is introduced as an intermediary component that monitors and controls the aggregate power consumption of multiple processors (CPU, GPU, NPU) within a package. This mediator coordinates power management across different processor types, enabling effective control for balanced workloads by managing the collective power zone rather than relying on individual processor controls alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If CPU or GPU power consumption is reduced through throttling or lower performance states, then thermal energy release is relieved, but workload performance may not be fully supported

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal energy releaseVSAvoidworkload performance

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the performance state of individual processors based on real-time monitoring of aggregate package power consumption and thermal conditions. Rather than static throttling, the package power zone controller continuously modulates clock frequencies and voltage levels of CPU, GPU, and NPU to maintain optimal balance between thermal management and workload performance requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The package power zone controller implements a feedback mechanism that monitors aggregate power consumption, thermal energy release, and workload performance continuously. Based on this feedback, the controller dynamically adjusts power allocation and performance states of individual processors, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to changing thermal and performance conditions in real-time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10895903B2Package power zone for limiting power consumption even when individual consumers do not exceed individual limits

Publication Date: 2021.01.19 APPLE INC

AI summary

In an embodiment, an electronic device includes a package power zone controller. The device monitors the overall power consumption of multiple components of a “package.” The package power zone controller may detect workloads in which the package components (e.g. different types of processors, peripheral hardware, etc.) are each consuming relatively low levels of power, but the overall power consumption is greater than a desired target. The package power zone controller may implement various mechanisms to reduce power consumption in such cases.