Processor Performance State Sequencing for Responsive Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing power requirements and energy consumption of computing devices, particularly in systems with multicore processors, pose a challenge for energy efficiency and conservation, especially in constrained environments where responsiveness workloads are critical.
Innovation Solution
A processor is controlled to exit an idle state and operate at a maximum performance level for a limited duration, followed by intermediate and sustained performance levels, using adaptive techniques to balance power and thermal budgets, ensuring consistent responsiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the processor operates at maximum performance level continuously, then user responsiveness is improved, but power consumption and thermal output increase
Solution Approach 1:
The processor dynamically adjusts its performance level based on real-time conditions. It operates at maximum performance for a limited duration after exiting idle state to ensure immediate responsiveness, then transitions to intermediate and sustained performance levels to reduce power consumption while maintaining acceptable responsiveness. This dynamic performance adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining high responsiveness and reducing power usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor implements periodic performance level changes following a defined pattern: maximum performance for a limited duration, followed by intermediate performance, and then sustained performance. This periodic adjustment of performance levels allows the system to maintain responsiveness during critical periods while conserving energy during extended operation, balancing the contradiction between responsiveness and power consumption.
2Productivity
If the processor operates at maximum performance level for extended duration, then sustained performance is improved, but thermal output and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The processor dynamically transitions from maximum performance to intermediate and sustained performance levels after a limited duration to control thermal output. This dynamic adjustment allows the processor to maintain high productivity during critical periods while reducing thermal generation during extended operation, resolving the contradiction between sustained performance and thermal management.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the processor enters deep idle state to conserve energy, then power consumption is reduced, but user responsiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The processor performs preliminary actions by operating at maximum performance level for a limited duration immediately after exiting idle state. This preliminary high-performance operation ensures that user responsiveness requirements are met during the critical transition period, while the system can then transition to lower performance states to conserve energy during sustained operation.
4Loss of energy
If adaptive performance control is implemented, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processor implements self-service performance control by autonomously determining when to transition between performance levels based on predefined criteria and thresholds. The system monitors its own operational state and automatically adjusts performance without requiring complex external control mechanisms, reducing the complexity burden while maintaining energy efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a processor includes at least one core to execute instructions and a power controller coupled to the at least one core. The power controller may include a first logic to cause the at least one core to exit an idle state and enter into a maximum performance state for a first time duration, thereafter enter into an intermediate power state for a second time duration, and thereafter enter into a sustained performance state. Other embodiments are described and claimed.