Processor Core Status Management for Partial Functionality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern data processing systems waste energy and resources by labeling entire processor cores as 'failed' even if only some execution units are malfunctioning, leading to unused processing resources and inefficient energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A system interface determines the status of each processor core as fully functional, partially functional, or non-functional and assigns instructions based on available processing resources, allowing tasks to be scheduled on partially functional cores, which can include converting instructions to utilize available resources effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If entire processor cores are labeled as failed when some execution units malfunction, then system reliability is improved by avoiding use of defective cores, but processing resources are wasted and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the processor core into individual execution units and identifies which specific units are functional versus defective. Instead of treating the entire core as failed, the system divides the core's resources and schedules tasks to use only the functional execution units, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing energy waste from unused functional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by treating different execution units within a core differently based on their functional status. Functional execution units are utilized for task execution while defective units are excluded, creating a non-uniform resource allocation that optimizes both reliability and energy efficiency by matching task requirements with available functional resources.
2Reliability
If entire processor cores are labeled as failed when some execution units malfunction, then system reliability is improved by avoiding use of defective cores, but processing capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the processor core into individual execution units and identifies which specific units are functional versus defective. Instead of treating the entire core as failed, the system divides the core's resources and schedules tasks to use only the functional execution units, thereby maintaining reliability while preserving processing capacity through granular resource utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of core status from binary (fully functional or completely failed) to a granular state that identifies individual execution unit functionality. This parameter transformation enables the system to recognize and utilize partial functionality, maintaining both reliability and processing capacity by matching tasks with appropriate functional resources.
3Loss of energy
If partially functional processor cores are utilized, then energy efficiency is improved by using available resources, but system complexity increases due to resource tracking and task scheduling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (the system interface or scheduler) that tracks the functional status of execution units and manages task allocation. This intermediary handles the complexity of resource monitoring and scheduling, allowing the core utilization logic to remain simple while achieving improved energy efficiency through intelligent resource management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors the functional status of execution units and adjusts task scheduling accordingly. This feedback loop enables dynamic optimization of energy efficiency by directing tasks to functional resources while automatically adapting to changes in resource availability, managing system complexity through automated control.
4Ease of operation
If traditional core-level failure labeling is used, then ease of operation is maintained with simple binary status, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the core status information into individual execution unit states, moving from binary core-level labeling to granular unit-level tracking. This segmentation enables more precise resource utilization while maintaining operational simplicity through automated management of the detailed status information by the system interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the processor system to self-manage its partial functionality by automatically tracking execution unit status and making scheduling decisions. The system serves itself by internally managing the complexity of resource allocation without requiring external intervention, thereby improving resource utilization efficiency while maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A multiple processor core computer system interface assigns instructions to partially functional processor cores based on processing resources available in each partially functional core. Each processor core is labeled as fully functional, partially functional, or non-functional, and an indicator is provided for each partially functional processor core that shows what processing resources are available for a respective core. The indicators can be stored in memory after final test. The interface can monitor cores for changes in available resources and update respective indicators, such as by superseding an existing indicator with or creating a new indicator in read-write memory.