Power Control Unit for Switchable Graphics Performance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Information processing apparatuses with switchable graphics (SWG) face a trade-off between power consumption and processing performance, where selecting low power modes often results in lower image processing performance compared to integrated GPUs, and increasing power consumption does not improve performance adequately.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus with a power control unit that determines and controls power modes for both integrated and discrete GPUs, stopping the discrete GPU in low power modes and utilizing both processors in high power modes to optimize image processing performance based on power settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a discrete GPU is used to improve image processing performance, then processing speed is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between integrated GPU and discrete GPU based on power control modes. In low power modes, only the integrated GPU operates, while in high power modes, the discrete GPU is activated to provide enhanced performance. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt its graphics processing capabilities to match the current power requirements, resolving the contradiction between performance and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The power control unit changes the operational parameters of the graphics processing system by selecting different power control modes. Each mode configures which GPU (integrated or discrete) is active, effectively changing the system's power consumption and performance characteristics. This parameter change approach allows flexible trade-off between image processing performance and power usage.
2Use of energy by moving object
If power control mode is set to low power mode to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but image processing performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The graphics processing system is segmented into two independent components: an integrated GPU and a discrete GPU. The power control unit can selectively activate or deactivate each component based on power control modes. In low power modes, only the integrated GPU is active, providing sufficient performance for basic tasks while minimizing power consumption. This segmentation allows the system to maintain acceptable performance even when power consumption is reduced.
3Productivity
If both integrated GPU and discrete GPU operate simultaneously to maximize performance, then image processing performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic configuration where the power control unit determines which GPU(s) are active based on the selected power control mode. Rather than always operating both GPUs simultaneously, the system dynamically adjusts its configuration, activating the discrete GPU only when high performance is required. This reduces the effective complexity of the system during normal operation while maintaining the capability for high-performance processing when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus and an information processing method capable of fulfilling an image processing function expected in a selected power control mode are provided. The information processing apparatus includes a first processor, a second processor, and a power control unit that determines one power control mode from among a plurality of stages of power control modes different in rated power, and controls power consumption of the first processor and the second processor in the determined power control mode, wherein the power control unit stops an operation of the second processor in response to the determined power control mode being a low power control mode which is a power control mode with the rated power lower than predetermined rated power.