Centralized Voltage Regulator Control for Multi-Processor Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power management systems in high-performance processors are inefficient in dynamically adjusting voltage levels across multiple processors, leading to suboptimal performance and power consumption, especially when transitioning between active and low-power modes.
Innovation Solution
A centralized voltage regulator control system communicatively coupled with multiple processors via a Serial Voltage Identification (SVID) bus, allowing processors to request voltage changes and alert others to synchronize mode transitions, thereby optimizing processor voltage levels based on computational demands and conserving power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a centralized voltage regulator control system is used to manage multiple processors, then power management efficiency and flexibility are improved, but the complexity of the control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates voltage regulation control for multiple processors into a single centralized controller that manages all processors through a shared communication interface. This merging approach improves power management efficiency by coordinating voltage changes across the entire system rather than managing each processor independently, while the modular architecture keeps the added complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized voltage regulator control system serves multiple processors simultaneously through a universal control interface, allowing a single controller to perform the function of multiple individual regulators. This multi-functional approach improves overall system efficiency while reducing the total number of control components needed.
2Loss of energy
If voltage levels are dynamically adjusted across multiple processors, then power consumption is optimized, but the synchronization complexity between processors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication interface enables processors to send voltage change requests and receive notifications about system-wide voltage changes. This feedback mechanism allows processors to synchronize their mode transitions by responding to notifications from the centralized controller, optimizing power consumption while managing synchronization through structured signal exchange rather than complex coordination protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The system notifies processors of upcoming voltage changes before they occur, allowing processors to prepare for mode transitions in advance. This preliminary notification approach enables synchronized transitions without requiring complex real-time coordination, as processors can proactively adjust their state in response to the advance notice.
3Measurement precision
If individual voltage regulators are used for each processor, then voltage control precision is maintained, but the number of electronic components and thermal issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual voltage regulators into a single centralized voltage regulator that serves all processors. This consolidation reduces the total number of electronic components and associated thermal issues while maintaining voltage control precision through the centralized controller's ability to precisely regulate the shared voltage supply that all processors draw from.
Data Source
AI summary
A processor power management system and method are disclosed. The system includes a voltage regulator control system that is communicatively coupled to each of a plurality of processors. The voltage regulator control system is to generate a processor voltage that is provided to each of the plurality of processors and to control a magnitude of the processor voltage based on receiving power management request signal s that are provided from each of the plurality of processors.