Processor Stop Bit Instruction Encoding for Power Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods to enhance power efficiency in processor-based devices, such as designing separate circuit devices or managing power consumption through additional instructions, often result in increased power consumption or larger instruction sizes, failing to effectively address the core issue of power efficiency, particularly in battery-operated devices.
Innovation Solution
A method and processor architecture that utilize a stop bit within instructions to determine execution cycles, allocate instructions to slots in a multiplexer, and selectively supply power to only the necessary slots, allowing for efficient execution of scalar and vector operations while minimizing power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If separate circuit devices are designed to use lower power, then power efficiency is improved, but additional power consumption occurs due to additional hardware
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal processor architecture that can execute both scalar and vector operations using the same hardware resources. The processor dynamically configures functional units to perform different operation types, eliminating the need for separate dedicated circuit devices for each operation mode, thereby avoiding additional hardware power consumption while maintaining power efficiency
2Use of energy by moving object
If additional instructions are added to manage power consumption, then power management capability is improved, but the overall size of instructions to be processed increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges power management functionality directly into the existing instruction execution flow by utilizing the stop bit field within standard instruction formats. Instead of adding separate power management instructions, the stop bit is integrated into the instruction encoding itself, allowing power consumption control to be achieved without increasing the overall instruction set size
3Productivity
If instructions are executed in parallel, then productivity is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management where the processor selectively activates functional units based on the stop bit values in incoming instructions. When parallel execution is required, multiple functional units are activated simultaneously; when sequential execution is indicated by stop bits, fewer units are activated. This dynamic configuration allows the processor to adapt power consumption to actual execution needs, achieving high productivity when necessary while conserving power during sequential operations
Data Source
AI summary
In a method to execute instructions, at least one instruction executed in a predetermined cycle is acquired based on information included in each of a plurality of instructions, and a code included in the at least one instruction acquired. An instruction is allocated to at least one slot based on the analysis result, and a slot necessary to execute the instruction is selectively used. Accordingly, power consumption of a device using the method may be reduced.