Processor Clock Signal Restriction for Low-Latency Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current power management techniques for multicore processors face challenges in reducing power consumption without impacting performance, as lowering operating frequency reduces performance and involves complex procedures, and existing methods for clock frequency changes are latency-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A clock reduction technique that allows portions of a processor to operate at a reduced frequency with low latency, transparent to other processor components, using independent voltage regulators for each core and a power control unit to squash or restrict clock signals, enabling near-instantaneous frequency reduction without entering low power states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the operating frequency is lowered to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but performance is also reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the processor into multiple independent functional units (fetch unit, decode unit, execute units, retire unit) that can operate at different frequencies. This segmentation allows selective frequency reduction in specific units without impacting the overall processor performance, resolving the contradiction by enabling partial frequency scaling rather than global frequency reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
Different functional units within the processor are assigned different operating frequencies based on their specific power and performance requirements. Critical path units maintain higher frequencies while non-critical units operate at reduced frequencies, creating local quality variations that optimize the overall power-performance balance.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the operating frequency is changed to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but complex procedures are involved
Solution Approach 1:
Each functional unit is equipped with its own independent voltage regulator and frequency control mechanisms, enabling them to autonomously adjust their operating frequencies based on local workload conditions. This self-service capability eliminates the need for complex centralized frequency management procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor implements dynamic frequency adjustment where each functional unit can independently change its operating frequency in real-time based on instantaneous power and performance requirements. This dynamic approach replaces static, complex frequency change procedures with flexible, on-the-fly adjustments.
3Use of energy by moving object
If conventional frequency change protocols are used to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
Functional units pre-adjust their frequencies in advance based on predicted workload patterns and power requirements, avoiding the need for frequent mid-execution frequency changes. This preliminary action eliminates the latency associated with conventional frequency change protocols that require protocol execution during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous dynamic frequency adjustment where each functional unit can change its frequency instantaneously based on real-time conditions, eliminating the fixed protocol latency of conventional approaches. This dynamic mechanism allows frequency changes to occur without the overhead of formal frequency change protocols.
Data Source
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AI summary
In an embodiment, a processor includes a core to execute instructions, where the core includes a clock generation logic to receive and distribute a first clock signal to a plurality of units of the core, a restriction logic to receive a restriction command and to reduce delivery of the first clock signal to at least one of the plurality of units. The restriction logic may cause the first clock signal to be distributed to the plurality of units at a lower frequency than a frequency of the first clock signal. Other embodiments are described and claimed.