Processor Power Management via Independent Voltage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Increasing power consumption and heat generation in complex electronic devices, such as cellular phones and laptops, pose challenges for battery life and device performance due to the complexity and operating frequencies of processors.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that provide an instruction stream for both integer and non-integer units within a processor, allowing for the selective application of operation voltage and low-power voltage to the non-integer unit independent of the supply voltage, enabling power management through voltage control signals to reduce leakage power and extend battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If processor complexity and operating frequency are increased to meet performance demand, then processing performance is improved, but power consumption and heat generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The processor is divided into multiple independent circuits (first circuit and second circuit) that can be independently powered. The voltage controller circuit separately controls voltage supply to each circuit based on instruction stream requirements, allowing the second circuit to be powered down or run at reduced voltage when not needed, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining processing performance when required
Solution Approach 2:
The power management system dynamically adjusts voltage levels and power states of different circuits based on real-time instruction stream analysis. The voltage controller circuit responds to sequences of instructions by selectively providing operation voltage or low-power voltage to the second circuit, enabling adaptive power consumption that matches actual processing needs
2Productivity
If processor complexity and operating frequency are increased to meet performance demand, then processing performance is improved, but heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the processor into independently controllable circuits with separate power management, heat generation is reduced in circuits that are not actively processing instructions, thereby lowering overall device temperature while maintaining high performance capability when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system periodically analyzes the instruction stream sequence and adjusts power states accordingly, cycling circuits between active and low-power states based on actual computational requirements, which reduces average heat generation while maintaining performance availability
3Reliability
If voltage is continuously supplied to maintain device operation, then device performance is maintained, but leakage power increases
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage controller circuit dynamically switches between providing operation voltage and low-power voltage to the second circuit based on instruction stream analysis, reducing leakage power by minimizing the time voltage is supplied to circuits that do not require active operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from instruction stream analysis to control voltage supply decisions, continuously monitoring instruction sequences and adjusting power states to maintain device performance reliability while minimizing energy loss through reduced voltage supply periods
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a first circuit and a second circuit sharing an instruction stream. A voltage controller circuit is configured to provide an operation voltage and at least one low-power voltage to the second circuit independent of a supply voltage of the first circuit in response to a sequence of the instruction stream. In another aspect, a method of operating a power management function is presented. The method includes providing an instruction stream for a first circuit and a second circuit and providing selectively an operation voltage and at least one low-power voltage to the second circuit independent of a supply voltage of the first circuit in response to a sequence of the instruction stream.