Processor Reactive Power Boost With Voltage-Droop Throttling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computing systems face limitations in peak power delivery, which can lead to system failure due to exceeding the power output capability of the primary power source, whether AC or battery-powered.
Innovation Solution
A processor is configured to manage peak power delivery reactively, allowing high power-consuming circuitry to operate above the defined peak power delivery limit by implementing a programmable boost increase and immediate power throttling mechanisms to ensure power consumption remains within safe limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If proactive power management is used to prevent power consumption from exceeding the power delivery limit, then system reliability is improved, but performance capability deteriorates due to conservative frequency limiting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static proactive power management to dynamic reactive power management. The system dynamically adjusts power consumption based on real-time voltage monitoring, allowing frequencies to be raised above traditional limits when voltage conditions permit, while automatically throttling back when voltage droop is detected. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by adapting performance limits to actual power delivery conditions rather than imposing fixed conservative limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where voltage droop is continuously monitored and used to trigger reactive power throttling. When voltage droop exceeds a threshold, the system responds by reducing power consumption of specific circuits. This closed-loop feedback system allows the processor to operate at higher performance levels while automatically correcting when power delivery limits are approached, resolving the trade-off between reliability and performance.
2Power
If maximum frequencies of high power-consuming circuitry are limited to guarantee peak power consumption stays below the power delivery limit, then power delivery constraints are satisfied, but performance is constrained prior to reaching physical limits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent raises maximum frequencies of high power-consuming circuitry above traditional limits before power delivery constraints are actually reached. By preemptively allowing higher frequencies and relying on reactive throttling to enforce limits only when necessary, the system extracts maximum performance from the platform while still guaranteeing power delivery constraints are satisfied. This resolves the contradiction by removing unnecessary conservative performance constraints.
3Productivity
If reactive power control is implemented allowing operation above peak power delivery limit, then performance capability is improved, but system risk increases requiring immediate power reduction capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements reactive power control with immediate feedback through voltage droop monitoring. When voltage droop is detected, the system automatically triggers power throttling to reduce consumption below the power delivery limit. This feedback mechanism allows the system to safely operate above traditional limits by providing real-time protection, resolving the contradiction between improved performance and maintained reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
In one example, an apparatus comprises a first intellectual property (IP) circuit to execute operations on data and a power controller. The power controller is to: receive a boost value that is based at least in part on one or more characteristics of a power supply; determine a boosted maximum power level based at least in part on the boost value and a legacy maximum power level; and provide a boosted maximum power budget for the first IP circuit based at least in part on the boosted maximum power level. The first IP circuit, in response to an input voltage violation signal, is to reactively reduce power consumption equal to or below a legacy maximum power budget for the first IP circuit lower than the boosted maximum power budget. Other embodiments are described and claimed.