Localized Thermal Hotspot Control Through Processor Clock Scaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal management systems in processors fail to accurately detect and manage localized heat buildup (hotspots) due to uneven distribution of thermal sensors, leading to potential hardware failure and inefficient performance throttling.
Innovation Solution
Implement a dynamic thermal management policy that adjusts processor core clock speeds based on proximity and utilization patterns, using configuration files to identify and avoid adverse thermal conditions, and dynamically set thermal offsets to balance performance and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If thermal sensors are uniformly distributed across the processor chip, then thermal measurement accuracy is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by placing thermal sensors strategically in high-risk hotspot regions rather than uniformly distributing them across the entire chip. Configuration files identify specific core combinations that generate adverse thermal conditions, and sensors are positioned to monitor these localized areas, achieving accurate thermal measurement where it matters most without the complexity of universal sensor distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses configuration files to pre-identify adverse thermal conditions and worst-case core combinations before runtime. This preliminary action allows the system to anticipate thermal hotspots and position monitoring efforts accordingly, improving measurement accuracy in critical areas without requiring sensors everywhere on the chip.
2Reliability
If thermal offset is increased to prevent hotspots, then thermal safety is improved, but processor performance decreases due to excessive throttling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts thermal offsets based on actual runtime conditions rather than using fixed conservative values. The system monitors thermal sensors, identifies when adverse thermal conditions are actually occurring, and applies thermal offsets only in those specific situations. This dynamic approach maintains thermal safety while avoiding excessive throttling during normal operation, thus preserving processor performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring thermal sensor readings and comparing them against thresholds defined in configuration files. When thermal conditions exceed safe levels, the system responds by adjusting clock speeds and applying thermal offsets. This closed-loop feedback ensures thermal safety is maintained only when necessary, preventing unnecessary performance degradation.
3Temperature
If clock scaling is applied aggressively to manage thermal conditions, then thermal control is improved, but processor throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using clock scaling and thermal offsets only partially - specifically, only when and where thermal conditions actually require intervention. The system identifies adverse thermal conditions through sensor monitoring and configuration file matching, then applies clock scaling selectively to affected cores rather than aggressively throttling the entire processor. This maintains thermal control while minimizing impact on overall throughput.
4Measurement precision
If configuration files with thermal profiles are maintained, then thermal management accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments thermal management into discrete, manageable components: configuration files contain specific thermal profiles for different core combinations, thermal sensors monitor specific locations, and the management logic handles specific adverse condition patterns. This segmentation makes the system more manageable despite the added complexity, as each component has a defined role and the configuration files can be updated independently based on thermal characterization data.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, systems, and techniques to scale processor clocks. In at least one embodiment, one or more circuits are to scale one or more clocks of one or more cores based, at least in part, on a proximity of the one or more cores to each other.