Storage Controller Dynamic Power Management for Idle Core Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Storage devices with multiple embedded cores face inefficiencies due to uneven workload distribution, leading to excessive power consumption as idle cores remain active, despite varying user request patterns.
Innovation Solution
A storage device with multiple controller processors connected via shared memory, where power modes and channel allocation are dynamically adjusted based on IO intensity, allowing cores to enter sleep or lower frequency modes when idle, and assigning background tasks to reduce power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple embedded cores are used to handle user requests, then the storage device can process more workloads, but power consumption increases because idle cores remain active
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management by transitioning controller processors between active and sleep modes based on real-time workload conditions. The power manager continuously monitors workload levels and adjusts the operational state of each core, making the system's power consumption dynamic rather than static. This resolves the contradiction by allowing high productivity when needed while minimizing power consumption during low-utilization periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of controller processors based on workload intensity. When workload is low, processors are switched to sleep mode with reduced power consumption parameters. When workload increases, processors transition to active mode with full performance parameters. This parameter adjustment mechanism enables the system to maintain high productivity capacity while operating at lower power levels during idle periods.
2Speed
If all controller processors remain active to handle varying user requests, then response time is reduced, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements workload prediction and preliminary processor activation. The power manager monitors workload patterns and proactively wakes up controller processors before they are actually needed, based on predicted workload increases. This preliminary action ensures that processors are ready to handle requests immediately when workload increases, maintaining fast response times while avoiding the constant activation of all processors during low-utilization periods.
3Productivity
If workload is distributed evenly across all cores using round robin approach, then utilization is improved, but power consumption increases because idle cores cannot be deactivated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the workload management into two distinct functions: workload distribution and power management. The workload distributor handles even distribution of tasks across available processors using round-robin or other algorithms, while the power manager separately controls the operational state of each processor. This segmentation allows the system to maintain good core utilization among active processors while independently deactivating idle processors to reduce power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service workload redistribution. When a controller processor transitions to sleep mode, the power manager automatically redistributes that processor's workload to remaining active processors. This self-service mechanism ensures continuous even utilization of active cores while enabling idle cores to be deactivated, resolving the contradiction between utilization and power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage device includes non-volatile memory, a storage controller including a first controller processor connected to the non-volatile memory, and a second controller processor connected to the non-volatile memory, and shared memory to store a mapping table. The shared memory may be connected to the first controller processor and the second controller processor to share mapping table information between the first controller processor and the second controller processor. The storage controller may set a power mode of the first controller processor and the second controller processor based on an input/output intensity.