Thread Control Registers for Multithread Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern multi-core processors face performance penalties when switching between threads due to increased power consumption and area requirements, and there is a need for efficient multithread handling, especially during debugging and optimization tasks where disabling threads is necessary.
Innovation Solution
A multithread processing system with an instruction dispatch block and registers that allow for selective disabling of threads using thread-control bits and operation locks, enabling efficient management of thread execution and preventing conflicts between threads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multithread processing is implemented on a single processor core, then productivity is improved, but use of energy worsens due to power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing thread disabling functionality before threads are fully activated. Thread-control bits are pre-configured in registers to allow selective disabling of individual threads, preventing energy-wasting thread execution before it starts or during debugging phases, thus improving energy efficiency while maintaining multithread capability
2Adaptability or versatility
If thread switching is performed in single pipeline processors, then adaptability is improved, but loss of time worsens due to performance penalties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares thread execution states in advance by maintaining thread-control registers with pre-configured control bits for each thread. This allows the processor to quickly enable or disable threads without extensive switching overhead, as the control mechanism is pre-established rather than created during switching operations
3Reliability
If debugging and testing operations are performed on multithread systems, then reliability is improved, but productivity worsens due to thread disabling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the multithread system into individually controllable units by providing separate thread-control bits in registers for each thread. This segmentation allows debuggers to disable only specific threads that need testing while keeping other threads active and productive, rather than requiring complete system shutdown or universal thread disabling
Data Source
AI summary
A system, apparatus and method for multithread handling on a multithread processing device are described herein. Embodiments of the present invention provide a multithread processing device for multithread handling including a plurality of registers operatively coupled to an instruction dispatch block, including thread-control registers for selectively disabling threads. In various embodiments, the multithread processing device may include a thread-operation register for selectively providing a lock to a first thread to prevent a second thread from disabling the first thread while the first thread has the lock. In still further embodiments, the multithread processing device may be configured to atomically disable and release a lock held by a thread. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.