Processor Thermal Setpoint Control for Core and Frequency Scaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing power requirements and inefficiencies in computing devices, particularly in multicore processors, lead to significant energy consumption, necessitating improved energy efficiency and conservation measures as these devices become more prevalent.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a multicore processor with multiple configurations based on temperature specifications, allowing it to operate at different guaranteed operating frequencies, core counts, and power levels depending on the environmental cooling conditions, enabling dynamic or static selection of configurations to optimize performance and energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If processor operates at higher configuration (higher frequency, more cores), then productivity increases, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processor dynamically adjusts its configuration based on real-time temperature monitoring. The system transitions between different operational states (higher frequency/more cores when cool, lower frequency/fewer cores when hot) to optimize the balance between performance and energy consumption, rather than operating at a fixed configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (frequency, core count) based on temperature conditions. By monitoring temperature and adjusting configuration parameters accordingly, the processor adapts its energy consumption and performance characteristics to match environmental conditions
2Productivity
If processor operates at higher configuration, then productivity increases, but temperature increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where temperature sensors continuously monitor processor temperature and feed this information back to the configuration control logic. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts configuration to maintain temperature within acceptable ranges while maximizing performance
Solution Approach 2:
The processor configuration is made dynamic rather than static, allowing real-time adjustment of frequency and core count based on thermal conditions. This enables the system to respond to temperature changes and maintain optimal operating temperatures
3Use of energy by moving object
If processor operates at lower configuration, then energy consumption decreases, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than operating at a fixed lower configuration, the system dynamically adjusts configuration based on temperature conditions. When cooling is adequate, the processor can operate at higher performance levels; when cooling is insufficient, it transitions to lower power states, optimizing the trade-off between performance and energy consumption
4Temperature
If processor operates at lower configuration, then temperature decreases, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback mechanism ensures that the processor only operates at lower configurations when temperature conditions warrant such a reduction. The system continuously monitors temperature and adjusts configuration to maintain the highest possible performance within thermal constraints, rather than operating at reduced performance unconditionally
Data Source
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AI summary
In one embodiment, a processor includes a non-volatile storage to store a plurality of configurations for the processor, the non-volatile storage including a plurality of entries to store configuration information for the processor for one of the plurality of configurations, the configuration information including at least one of a guaranteed operating frequency and a core count, at least one of the entries to store the core count. The processor further includes a power controller to control the processor to operate at one of the plurality of configurations based at least in part on a selected thermal set point of a plurality of thermal set points of the processor, each of the plurality of thermal set points associated with one of the configurations. Other embodiments are described and claimed.