SoC Power Management Handshaking for Heterogeneous Subsystems
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Solution Overview
Problem
As System on a Chip (SoC) devices become more complex, efficient and low overhead power management becomes increasingly difficult due to heterogeneous subsystems with different frequency and voltage requirements, and the lack of standard signaling mechanisms among their power management protocols.
Innovation Solution
A low overhead handshaking scheme is implemented using dedicated power management channels in the SoC interconnect to enable fine-grained power management across heterogeneous resources, allowing subsystems to transition to low power states without software intervention and maintaining standard communication protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If heterogeneous subsystems with different frequency and voltage requirements are integrated into SoC, then processing functionality and device integration are improved, but power management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal power management protocol that can be applied across all heterogeneous subsystems in the SoC, including CPU clusters, GPU, NPU, and I/O interfaces. This single protocol handles frequency scaling, voltage regulation, and power state transitions uniformly across different device types, eliminating the need for separate power management mechanisms for each subsystem and thereby reducing overall power management complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts power management parameters such as frequency, voltage, and power states based on real-time workload requirements and system conditions. By implementing continuous parameter optimization across heterogeneous subsystems, the system achieves efficient power management that adapts to varying performance demands without requiring complex static configuration for each subsystem.
2Adaptability or versatility
If each heterogeneous resource has its own power management protocol, then subsystem-specific requirements are met, but standard signaling mechanisms and integration efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a universal power management protocol that serves all heterogeneous subsystems including CPU, GPU, NPU, and I/O interfaces through a common set of signaling mechanisms. This unified approach maintains the ability to meet specific power management requirements of each subsystem type while enabling standardized communication and coordination across the entire SoC, thereby improving integration efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a power management controller as an intermediary component that mediates between the operating system/power management software and the various heterogeneous subsystems. This controller translates high-level power management commands into subsystem-specific control signals, enabling standardized interface while maintaining compatibility with diverse power management requirements of different resources.
3Loss of energy
If fine-grained power management is implemented across heterogeneous resources, then power consumption is reduced, but control overhead and protocol complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal power management protocol that enables fine-grained control of power states across all heterogeneous subsystems through a standardized interface. This protocol supports individual power state transitions for each subsystem based on workload requirements, achieving fine-grained power management without requiring separate complex control mechanisms for each resource, thereby limiting the increase in control overhead.
4Productivity
If power management transitions occur without software intervention, then response time and efficiency are improved, but control precision and coordination may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables subsystems to autonomously transition between power states based on their own workload conditions and power requirements, without requiring software intervention for each transition. The hardware-based power management controller monitors subsystem activity and automatically initiates power state changes, improving response time and efficiency while maintaining coordination through the standardized protocol that ensures system-wide consistency.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for sending a first link handshake signal between a first subsystem and a power management unit (PMU) of a system on a chip (SoC) to request entry into a power saving state for the first subsystem, sending a second link handshake signal between the first subsystem and the PMU to acknowledge the request, and placing the first subsystem into the power saving state without further signaling between the PMU and the first subsystem. Other embodiments are described and claimed.