Processor Voltage Scaling via Interrupt Fault Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for optimizing power delivery in mobile devices, such as dynamic clock and voltage scaling, automatic voltage scaling, and automatic clock scaling, fail to accurately minimize power consumption and extend battery life without compromising user experience.
Innovation Solution
The method involves determining an operational limit of a processor by varying the supply voltage to force a processor interrupt fault or reset, while maintaining a constant clock frequency, and adjusting the supply voltage to within this limit, allowing for precise calibration of power delivery and reduction in power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional dynamic clock and voltage scaling (DCVS) is used to optimize power delivery, then power consumption is reduced, but the accuracy of minimizing power consumption is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces software-controlled voltage scaling with a hardware-based automatic voltage scaling (AVS) system that uses a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) and delay synthesizer to automatically adjust voltage based on processor speed, eliminating the imprecision of software-based DCVS and achieving more accurate power minimization
Solution Approach 2:
The AVS system is self-regulating, using the processor's own speed as feedback to automatically adjust the supply voltage through the delay synthesizer and VCO, without requiring external software control, thereby achieving precise and adaptive power optimization
2Duration of action of moving object
If automatic voltage scaling (AVS) is used to extend battery life, then power delivery is optimized, but the precision of voltage control is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the control parameter from software-based voltage tables to hardware-based delay measurements, using the delay synthesizer to precisely measure processor speed and the VCO to precisely adjust voltage, achieving both extended battery life and high voltage control precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback by monitoring processor speed through the delay synthesizer and automatically adjusting voltage via the VCO based on the measured speed, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains optimal voltage for maximum battery life
3Ease of operation
If software controls frequency and voltage scaling based on stored table of values, then power management is simplified, but the accuracy of power optimization is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the software-based table lookup system with a hardware-based AVS system that directly measures processor speed and adjusts voltage in real-time, eliminating the discretization errors of stored tables while maintaining automated operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static voltage tables to dynamic voltage adjustment, where the VCO continuously adapts voltage based on real-time processor speed measurements, enabling both simplicity and precision in power optimization
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for voltage scaling are provided. In an example, an operational limit of a processor is determined by varying a supply voltage to force a processor interrupt fault and/or a processor reset. A clock frequency and the supply voltage can be maintained substantially constant for a time duration. If these operational parameters do not force the processor interrupt fault and/or the processor reset, the supply voltage is varied again, and the clock frequency and the supply voltage are maintained substantially constant for a second time duration. The variation continues until initiation of the processor interrupt fault and/or the processor reset, at which time least one of a clock frequency, the supply voltage, and a temperature are recorded as an operational limit. After determining the operational limit, the supply voltage is adjusted to within the operational limit.