Dynamically Scalable Cache Architecture for Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
As integrated circuit die sizes increase and manufacturing process geometries decrease, the power dissipation of cache memory systems grows, particularly static power dissipation, which reduces battery life in portable applications.
Innovation Solution
A dynamically scalable cache memory system that adjusts its size based on the energy level of an energy storage device, using a control circuit to selectively provide power to cache memory circuits, allowing for changes in effective cache size to manage power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If cache memory size is increased to improve performance and reduce latency, then cache hit rate is improved, but power dissipation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cache memory system dynamically adjusts its size based on runtime conditions. The cache controller monitors system state and selectively activates or deactivates cache memory blocks, allowing the cache size to vary dynamically rather than being fixed. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the cache to be large when needed for high hit rates, but small when power conservation is prioritized.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the cache memory by modifying the effective cache size through selective block activation. By controlling which cache blocks are powered and active, the system can adjust the cache capacity parameter to match current performance requirements, thereby reducing power dissipation when full cache capacity is not needed.
2Loss of time
If cache memory size is increased to reduce latency, then access speed is improved, but static power dissipation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cache memory is divided into multiple independent blocks that can be individually activated or deactivated. Instead of treating the cache as a monolithic structure, the segmentation allows selective power management at the block level, enabling the system to maintain only the necessary cache capacity active while powering down unused blocks to reduce static power dissipation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cache system transitions from a static, fixed-size configuration to a dynamic, adjustable configuration. The cache controller continuously monitors system needs and adjusts the number of active cache blocks accordingly, allowing the cache to adapt its size dynamically to balance access latency requirements against static power consumption constraints.
3Quantity of substance
If cache memory area is increased relative to core logic area, then cache capacity is improved, but device area utilization shifts unfavorably
Solution Approach 1:
The cache memory structure is segmented into multiple blocks distributed across the processor die. This segmentation allows the cache capacity to be increased without requiring a contiguous large area, as cache blocks can be interspersed with core logic areas. The segmented approach enables better area utilization while maintaining high cache capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cache memory blocks are integrated within or alongside core logic structures, creating a nested arrangement where cache capacity is embedded within the processor area rather than occupying separate dedicated space. This nesting allows both cache capacity and core logic to coexist efficiently within the available die area.
Data Source
AI summary
A technique for managing power consumption of a cache memory system dynamically adjusts the size of the cache memory system according to an energy level of an energy storage device. In at least one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus includes a dynamically scalable cache memory circuit including at least one cache memory circuit having an effective cache size selectable from a plurality of cache sizes. The apparatus includes a control circuit responsive to an energy level indicator of at least an approximate energy level of an energy storage device configured to provide energy to the dynamically scalable cache memory circuit. The control circuit is configured to select the effective cache size based at least in part on the energy level indicator.