Processing Unit Operating State Adjustment Based on Block Waiting Status
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Solution Overview
Problem
Processing units like GPUs waste power and heat due to inefficient kernel execution and waiting states, as they operate at high frequencies even when not fully utilized, leading to increased power consumption without performance improvement.
Innovation Solution
The operating state of a processing unit is dynamically modified based on its waiting status and power consumption patterns, with clock frequency and voltage adjusted accordingly to optimize resource usage, by determining the percentage of components waiting and the power limit, and identifying patterns in power consumption to boost performance during low activity intervals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the processing unit operates at high clock frequency continuously, then the processing speed is improved, but the power consumption increases and waste heat increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the clock frequency adjustable rather than fixed. The system dynamically modifies the operating state of the processing unit based on real-time waiting status information, transitioning between different clock frequencies (e.g., first clock frequency for active processing, second clock frequency for waiting states). This allows the system to optimize between processing speed and power consumption by matching the clock frequency to actual workload demands, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption during waiting periods while maintaining high processing speed when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the processing unit by modifying clock frequency and voltage levels based on waiting status. When blocks are in waiting states, the system reduces clock frequency and adjusts voltage accordingly. This parameter change approach enables the system to lower power consumption during low-activity intervals while maintaining performance during high-activity periods, directly addressing the contradiction between processing speed and power consumption.
2Speed
If the processing unit maintains high operating state during waiting periods, then the processing speed is preserved, but the power consumption increases without performance improvement
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operating state based on waiting status detection. When blocks are detected to be in waiting states, the processing unit transitions to a reduced operating state with lower clock frequency. This dynamic adjustment ensures that the system does not waste power maintaining high processing capability during periods when blocks are waiting for resources, while still能够快速恢复 to high performance when blocks become ready for processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring waiting status information from blocks and using this information to control the operating state of the processing unit. The command processor receives waiting status information and uses it to determine whether to modify the operating state, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes power consumption based on actual processing needs rather than maintaining fixed high performance.
3Loss of energy
If the processing unit reduces clock frequency during waiting states, then the power consumption is reduced, but the processing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different operating states based on block status. When blocks are ready for processing, the system operates at high clock frequency for maximum processing speed. When blocks enter waiting states, the system transitions to lower clock frequency to reduce power consumption. This dynamic switching allows the system to optimize the trade-off between speed and power consumption based on actual workload conditions rather than maintaining a fixed operating point.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic monitoring and adjustment of operating state based on waiting status. The system periodically checks the status of blocks and adjusts clock frequency accordingly, creating a rhythm of high-performance processing followed by power-saving waiting periods. This periodic action pattern allows the system to maintain high processing speed when needed while periodically reducing power consumption during waiting intervals.
Data Source
AI summary
A processing unit includes a plurality of components configured to execute instructions and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a power consumption of the processing unit, determine a waiting status of the processing unit based on waiting statuses of components, and selectively modify an operating state of the processing unit based on the waiting status and the power consumption of the processing unit. In some cases, the operating state is modified in response to a percentage of the components that are waiting for an action to complete being below a threshold percentage and the power consumption of the processing unit being below a power limit. In some cases, the controller identifies a pattern in the power consumption by the processing unit and modifies the operating state of the processing unit to increase the power consumption of the processing unit based on the pattern identified by the controller.