Selective Thermal Throttling for Multicore Processor Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal throttling mechanisms for multicore processors apply throttling to all cores collectively, even when only some cores reach the temperature threshold, leading to unnecessary performance degradation of cores that have not exceeded the limit.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a selective thermal throttling mechanism that allows individual cores to be throttled based on their specific temperature thresholds, enabling per-core thermal management to maintain performance by allowing cores below the threshold to operate at higher frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If collective thermal throttling is applied to all cores, then processor temperature is controlled within safety limits, but system performance deteriorates unnecessarily when only some cores reach thermal threshold
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the multicore processor into individual core units, each with its own temperature sensor and throttling control. Instead of applying collective throttling to all cores, the system segments the thermal management control so that only the specific core(s) exceeding the thermal threshold are throttled, while other cores continue operating at full performance. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining thermal safety for hot spots without unnecessarily degrading overall system performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local thermal management by monitoring and controlling temperature at the individual core level rather than applying a global throttling policy. Each core's thermal state is independently assessed, and throttling is applied locally only where needed. This local quality approach allows the system to maintain high performance in cool regions while ensuring thermal safety in hot regions, thus resolving the performance-safety contradiction.
2Productivity
If individual core throttling is implemented, then performance of cool cores is maintained, but device complexity increases due to per-core monitoring and control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service thermal management where each core has its own temperature sensor and the power controller automatically identifies and throttles only the specific cores exceeding thermal thresholds. The system serves itself by autonomously monitoring individual core temperatures and applying selective throttling without requiring complex external intervention or manual configuration. This self-service approach maintains high performance while managing complexity through automated per-core control.
Data Source
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AI summary
For example, a power controller of a multicore processor may be configured to selectively trigger thermal throttling of one or more cores of the multicore processor. For example, the power controller may be configured to process temperature measurement information, for example, to identify a plurality of temperature measurements corresponding to the plurality of cores. For example, the power controller may be configured to identify one or more selected cores to be thermally-throttled, for example, based on the plurality of temperature measurements. For example, the power controller may be configured to trigger thermal throttling of the one or more selected cores, for example, while allowing one or more non-selected cores of the plurality of cores to remain non-thermally-throttled.