Processor Power Estimation Using ESL Event and Cycle Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for estimating power consumption in complex processor designs often face a tradeoff between speed and accuracy, with faster state-level estimation methods lacking precision and more detailed methods being time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A method that combines event-based and cycle-based power consumption calculations using electronic system level (ESL) models, where processor events and micro-code instruction cycles are traced and weighted to estimate total power consumption, improving accuracy without requiring extensive cycle analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If state-level estimation methods are used, then estimation speed is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The power consumption estimation is divided into two separate calculation paths: event-based estimation (for speed) and cycle-based estimation (for accuracy). Each path processes different aspects of processor activity independently, then their results are combined to achieve both speed and accuracy simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the results from event-based power estimation and cycle-based power estimation into a single combined power consumption value. This combination leverages the speed advantage of event-based methods while incorporating the accuracy benefit of cycle-based methods, resolving the contradiction between speed and precision.
2Measurement precision
If detailed cycle analysis methods are used, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of performing complete detailed cycle analysis on all processor operations (which would be too time-consuming), the patent applies cycle-based analysis selectively to specific micro-code instructions that have significant power consumption impact. This partial application provides sufficient accuracy without the full time cost of complete analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different estimation qualities to different parts of processor activity: event-based estimation is used for general processor events while cycle-based estimation is applied specifically to micro-code instruction cycles. This localized approach optimizes accuracy where needed while maintaining overall efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of estimating power consumption of a processor includes accessing an electronic system level (ESL) model of the processor, the ESL model including a plurality of functional blocks, identifying a plurality of processor events by tracing activity of the plurality of functional blocks for a plurality of machine code instructions, and calculating a first power consumption value based on the plurality of processor events. The method also includes identifying a plurality of cycles by analyzing a plurality of micro-code operation codes corresponding to the plurality of machine code instructions, calculating a second power consumption value based on the plurality of cycles, and calculating a total power consumption value from the first power consumption value summed with the second power consumption value.