Virtual Sub-Element Mapping for Processor Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern processors face increasing resource intensity in producing and storing prediction information, such as branch target buffer data, which necessitates improved methods to mitigate resource consumption.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that utilize instruction information generation and storage circuitry with allocation and deactivation circuitry to dynamically map and prioritize virtual sub-elements for efficient storage and power management, adaptively deactivating underused sub-elements to conserve resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If more virtual sub-elements are allocated to store instruction information, then storage capacity and prediction accuracy are improved, but power consumption and resource usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic allocation and deactivation of virtual sub-elements based on usage patterns. The system transitions from a static fixed allocation model to a dynamic model where the number of active virtual sub-elements is adjusted at runtime. When usage thresholds are met, additional virtual sub-elements are allocated to improve prediction accuracy; when thresholds are not met, virtual sub-elements are deactivated to reduce power consumption. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the system responsive to actual operational needs rather than maintaining constant high resource usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of virtual sub-element allocation from a fixed value to a variable parameter that adapts based on usage thresholds. By monitoring usage metrics and adjusting the number of active virtual sub-elements accordingly, the system optimizes the balance between prediction accuracy and power consumption. This parameter change allows the system to scale resources up when needed for accuracy and down when accuracy requirements are met with fewer resources, directly addressing the technical contradiction.
2Use of energy by moving object
If virtual sub-elements are dynamically allocated and deactivated, then power consumption is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary management layer between the instruction information generation circuitry and the physical storage elements. This intermediary layer handles the virtual sub-element allocation, mapping, and deactivation logic. By centralizing this management function, the system avoids scattering complexity throughout the entire architecture. The intermediary layer abstracts the complexity of dynamic resource management from the core processing logic, allowing power consumption reduction without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the storage system into physical sub-elements and virtual sub-elements, creating a layered abstraction. The virtual sub-element layer provides a simplified interface for allocation and management, while the physical sub-element layer handles the actual storage. This segmentation isolates complexity to specific management structures rather than distributing it throughout the entire system. By organizing complexity into discrete, manageable segments with clear interfaces, the system achieves power reduction while keeping overall complexity controllable.
3Productivity
If usage tracking and deactivation conditions are implemented, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where usage of virtual sub-elements is continuously monitored and fed back to the allocation circuitry. This feedback loop enables the system to adjust the number of active virtual sub-elements based on actual usage patterns. The feedback mechanism operates with minimal overhead by using simple usage counters and threshold comparisons rather than complex analysis. This efficient feedback approach achieves high resource utilization efficiency while keeping processing overhead low, as the feedback loop adds only minimal comparison and control logic to the existing architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
Instruction information generation circuitry generates instruction information. Instruction information storage circuitry comprises a plurality of elements having physical sub-elements configured to temporarily store units of instruction information. Allocation circuitry is configured to receive, from the instruction information generation circuitry, given instruction information. It determines a mapping of a plurality of ordered virtual sub-elements, such that each virtual sub-element maps onto a respective one of said physical sub-elements. The given instruction information is stored into the virtual sub-elements of a given element, according to the mapping, such that at least one virtual sub-element lower in said order has a higher priority than at least one virtual sub-element higher in said order. Sub-element deactivation circuitry is configured to track usage of said virtual sub-elements across the plurality of elements and adaptively deactivate virtual sub-elements.