Per-Program Power Controller for Information Processors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power control methods in information processors are inefficient in reducing power consumption when multiple programs operate concurrently or in parallel, leading to performance degradation due to inadequate voltage and frequency changes, especially in systems with frequent program switching and multiple physical processors.
Innovation Solution
A power controller that stores and references power control information on a per-program basis, allowing for efficient power status changes and preliminary power adjustments to minimize performance degradation, while also considering the allocation of programs across multiple physical processors to optimize power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If power source voltage is changed on a per program basis, then power consumption is reduced, but system performance degrades due to waiting time for voltage change completion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent stores power control information (voltage and frequency settings) for multiple programs in advance in a power context storage device. When program switching occurs, the system retrieves pre-prepared power control information from storage, eliminating the need to change voltage and frequency dynamically during program transitions. This preliminary preparation of power settings resolves the contradiction by enabling fast switching without performance degradation while maintaining power consumption reduction benefits.
2Loss of energy
If clock frequency is changed on a per program basis, then power consumption is reduced, but system performance degrades due to waiting time for frequency change completion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-stores optimal clock frequency settings for each program in the power context storage device. During program switching, the system retrieves the pre-determined frequency setting immediately, avoiding dynamic frequency adjustment delays. This preliminary preparation of frequency information enables fast program switching while maintaining reduced power consumption, resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and system performance.
3Loss of energy
If program-wise power control is implemented, then power consumption is reduced, but the control method cannot necessarily achieve reduced power consumption when a large number of programs operate in parallel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments power control information into individual program-specific entries stored in the power context storage device, with each entry containing optimized voltage and frequency settings. The program scheduling means can selectively retrieve and apply appropriate power control information for each program based on its characteristics and requirements. This segmentation enables efficient power control for each program while maintaining the ability to handle multiple parallel programs effectively, resolving the contradiction between power reduction and parallel execution efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A power controller (100) is for controlling power consumed in an information processor (1000) and includes a power context storing means (ZA105), a power context reference means (ZB101), and a power status changing means (ZA101). The power context storing means (ZA105) stores power control information for individual programs on a per program basis in storage regions distinguished with program identification information. The power context reference means (ZB101) references the power control information for the desired program in the power context storing means (ZA105). The power status changing means (ZA101) changes the status of the power consumed in the information processor (1000) based on the power control information referenced by the power context reference means (ZB101).