Dynamic PHY Power Allocation via Bandwidth Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Physical-layer devices (PHY) in electronic systems consume a significant amount of power, with usage varying by bandwidth, leading to inefficiencies in power allocation within fixed power budgets.

Innovation Solution

A power management method that estimates PHY power consumption as a linear function of memory bandwidth, allowing for the allocation of unused power to other system components, thereby enhancing their performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a fixed power budget is allocated to the PHY, then the PHY has guaranteed power supply, but the power allocation is inefficient when bandwidth varies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower allocation efficiencyVSAvoidpower allocation adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic power allocation by continuously monitoring PHY power consumption and reallocating unused power to other system components. The power management controller adjusts power distribution in real-time based on actual bandwidth usage and power consumption patterns, transforming the static fixed power budget into a dynamic adaptive system that optimizes overall system efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If power is reallocated from PHY to other components, then other components' performance improves, but PHY power consumption control becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem throughputVSAvoidpower management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the power management controller continuously monitors PHY power consumption, memory bandwidth utilization, and system performance metrics. Based on this feedback, the controller dynamically adjusts power allocation decisions, creating a closed-loop control system that balances PHY power savings with overall system throughput optimization without requiring complex manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of energy

If PHY power consumption is reduced, then more power is available for other components, but PHY performance may be degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunused powerVSAvoidPHY performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes power allocation parameters dynamically based on system conditions. Instead of reducing PHY power consumption unconditionally, the system adjusts power distribution parameters in real-time based on bandwidth requirements, workload characteristics, and performance thresholds, ensuring that PHY power is reduced only when it does not compromise system reliability or performance requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9477289B2Dynamic power allocation based on PHY power estimation

Publication Date: 2016.10.25 ADVANCED MICRO DEVICES INC

AI summary

A system has a plurality of electronic components including a memory, a PHY coupled to the memory, and one or more other electronic components. Power consumed by the PHY is estimated during operation of the system. Estimating the power consumed by the PHY includes modeling the power consumed by the PHY as a linear function with respect to memory bandwidth. Available power for the PHY is determined based at least in part on the estimated power consumed by the PHY. At least a portion of the available power for the PHY is allocated to at least one of the one or more other components.