Processor Power Management via Substitute Idle Task
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for reducing processor power consumption in computer systems either lead to inadequate performance or fail to guarantee power savings due to latency issues and unpredictable interrupts in real-time systems, and they do not effectively limit total processor power consumption.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where a task scheduler executes at the beginning of each time slice interval to determine scheduled applications and their execution schedule, followed by a substitute idle task that causes the processor to enter a low latency dormant state, allowing for real-time interrupt servicing and reduced power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the processor operates at variable clock frequencies to reduce power consumption, then power consumption decreases, but computational performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The processor dynamically adjusts its operating state between active and dormant modes based on system needs. The task scheduler monitors workload and transitions the processor to dormant state during idle periods to reduce power consumption, while maintaining the ability to quickly wake up when computational performance is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the processor by introducing dormant states with different characteristics than traditional sleep states. These dormant states offer reduced latency for waking up compared to conventional sleep modes, allowing the processor to switch between power-saving and performance modes more effectively.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the processor enters dormant states to reduce power consumption, then power consumption decreases, but response time to interrupts increases due to latency
Solution Approach 1:
The processor dynamically transitions between active and dormant states based on interrupt patterns and system requirements. The task scheduler monitors the system state and determines optimal moments to enter dormant states, ensuring that critical real-time tasks are not adversely affected while maximizing power savings during less critical periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The task scheduler automatically manages the transition to and from dormant states based on system workload analysis. It intelligently determines when the processor can safely enter a low-power state and when it needs to remain active to handle interrupts, eliminating the need for manual intervention while optimizing both power consumption and response time.
3Reliability
If interrupts are serviced quickly in real-time systems, then system reliability improves, but power consumption increases due to frequent processor activation
Solution Approach 1:
The task scheduler implements periodic monitoring of system state and workload patterns to determine optimal moments for entering dormant states. By analyzing interrupt patterns over time, the scheduler identifies periods where the processor can safely enter low-power mode without compromising real-time performance requirements, thus reducing overall power consumption while maintaining system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where the task scheduler continuously monitors interrupt patterns, system workload, and performance requirements. Based on this feedback, the scheduler dynamically adjusts the processor's operational state, entering dormant modes when conditions permit and activating the processor when real-time response is critical, thereby balancing reliability and power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems of operating a computer system including a processor are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes providing a discretized operating system for controlling applications executed by the computer system, and replacing an idle task of the discretized operating system with a substitute idle task that causes the processor to enter a dormant mode, a priority level of the substitute idle task being the same as a priority level of the idle task.