Processor System Agent DVFS for Power Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current processor designs face inefficiencies in power management, particularly in non-compute portions, as they maintain interface components at a fixed voltage/frequency, limiting power savings despite increasing energy demands from advanced computing systems.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) system for the communication fabric, allowing it to operate at varying voltage and frequency levels based on workload and environmental conditions, with multiple independent domains and heuristics-driven control to optimize power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the communication fabric is maintained at a fixed voltage/frequency for maximum performance, then system performance is ensured, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem performanceVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) for the communication fabric, allowing it to operate at varying voltage and frequency levels based on workload demands. The fabric can transition between multiple operating points (e.g., high performance mode with higher V/F and low power mode with lower V/F), making the system adaptable to changing conditions rather than being locked into a fixed state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operating parameters (voltage and frequency) of the communication fabric dynamically based on system needs. By adjusting these parameters according to workload conditions, the system can optimize the balance between performance and power consumption, avoiding the waste of maintaining high V/F during low-utilization periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If dynamic voltage and frequency scaling is implemented for the communication fabric, then power savings are enabled, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower savingsVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service mechanisms where the communication fabric monitors its own utilization metrics and automatically adjusts its operating point without requiring external intervention. The fabric includes built-in logic to detect workload conditions and transition between performance states autonomously, reducing the need for complex external control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention incorporates feedback mechanisms where the communication fabric monitors its own performance metrics and power consumption, then uses this information to dynamically adjust its operating parameters. This closed-loop control enables the system to automatically optimize power savings while maintaining adequate performance, managing complexity through intelligent control rather than hardware overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2796961B1Controlling power and performance in a system agent of a processor

Publication Date: 2019.09.04 INTEL CORP

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AI summary

In an embodiment, a processor includes a core to execute instructions, an agent to perform an operation independently of the core, a fabric to couple the core and agent and including a plurality of domains and a logic to receive isochronous parameter information from the agent and environmental information of a platform and to generate first and second values, and a power controller to control a frequency of the domains based at least in part on the first and second values. Other embodiments are described and claimed.