Application Processor Idle Checker for Heterogeneous Core Migration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In heterogeneous multi-processor architectures, the scheduler cannot effectively check the status of high-performance high-power cores that are shut off from operating voltage and clock signal, leading to performance deterioration when tasks are migrated from low-performance low-power cores.
Innovation Solution
An application processor with a scheduler that includes an idle checker to determine the status of a second core, sending an interrupt and migration trigger signal to ensure the core remains awake and prevents re-idling, allowing task migration between heterogeneous processor cores.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the high-performance high-power core is shut off from operating voltage and clock signal to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but the scheduler cannot check the status of the core leading to performance deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The idle checker proactively checks the status of the second core before task migration is attempted. By performing this preliminary status verification, the system avoids the performance penalty of task migration delays while maintaining the power-saving shutdown state of the high-performance core during idle periods
Solution Approach 2:
The idle checker acts as an intermediary component between the scheduler and the second core. It provides the scheduler with status information about the second core without requiring the scheduler to directly interact with the powered-down core, enabling informed migration decisions while maintaining the power-saving architecture
2Adaptability or versatility
If the scheduler migrates tasks to the high-performance high-power core without checking its status, then task execution flexibility is improved, but the task falls into standby mode causing loss of time
Solution Approach 1:
The idle checker performs preliminary status verification of the second core before the scheduler attempts task migration. This advance checking eliminates the standby time that would otherwise occur while the scheduler discovers the core is unavailable, maintaining both migration flexibility and time efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The idle checker provides feedback information about the second core's status to the scheduler. This feedback mechanism enables the scheduler to make informed migration decisions, directing tasks to appropriate cores based on real-time status information and avoiding unnecessary standby periods
Data Source
AI summary
An application processor includes a first core and a second core. The first core is configured to implement a scheduler which monitors a workload of a task of the first core, and the first core is further configured to implement an idle checker which determines whether the second core is idle.