Power Manager Processor for Dynamic Performance Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computing systems face challenges in quickly adjusting performance settings across functional units due to lag in response to activity changes, leading to increased power consumption and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system with monitor circuits and a power manager processor that monitor operational parameters and adjust performance settings, such as voltage and clock frequencies, to optimize performance while minimizing power consumption, including the ability to exit low power modes in response to interrupts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the processor operates in low power mode to reduce energy consumption, then power efficiency is improved, but response time to activity changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The power manager processor monitors operational parameters and anticipates performance requirements before they become critical. By performing preliminary assessments of workload demands, the system can proactively adjust performance settings rather than reactively responding to delays, thus maintaining low power consumption while avoiding significant response time penalties.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between low power mode and active mode based on real-time monitoring of operational parameters and performance requirements. This dynamic adaptation allows the processor to optimize the trade-off between power consumption and response time by being in low power mode during idle periods and quickly transitioning to active mode when performance is needed.
2Productivity
If performance settings are adjusted frequently to match activity levels, then processing speed is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the power manager processor continuously monitors operational parameters and compares them against performance requirements. This feedback loop enables intelligent decision-making about when performance adjustments are truly necessary, avoiding unnecessary adjustments that would increase power consumption while still maintaining adequate processing speed when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes performance parameters (such as clock frequency or voltage) only when the monitored operational parameters indicate a genuine need for performance adjustment. This selective parameter change approach ensures that processing speed is improved only when necessary, minimizing unnecessary power consumption associated with frequent adjustments.
3Loss of time
If the processor remains in active mode to ensure quick response, then response time is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power manager processor performs preliminary monitoring and assessment of system state and performance requirements. This preliminary action allows the system to determine in advance whether transitioning from low power mode to active mode is necessary, enabling quick response when needed while avoiding unnecessary transitions that would increase power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic monitoring of operational parameters and performance requirements, transitioning between low power mode and active mode based on these periodic assessments. This periodic action pattern allows the processor to maintain low power consumption during extended idle periods while ensuring that active mode is activated promptly when performance is required.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a method that allow the adjustment of performance settings of a computing system are disclosed. One or more functional units may include multiple monitor circuits, each of which may be configured to monitor a given operational parameter of a corresponding functional unit. Upon detection of an event related to a monitored operational parameter, a monitor circuit may generate an interrupt. In response to the interrupt a processor may adjust one or more performance settings of the computing system.