Dynamic Core Pool Management
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- executing, via a first number of cores of a computing device, a number of instructions in a unit of time;
detecting that the number of instructions executed is less than a threshold;
limiting execution of instructions of the computing device from the first number of cores to a second number of cores in response to the detecting that the number of instructions executed is below the threshold, wherein the second number is less than the first number; and
switching a core of the first number of cores from a first power state to a second power state, wherein power consumption of the second power state is less than power consumption of the first power state.
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Abstract
Embodiments that dynamically manage core pools are disclosed. Various embodiments involve measuring the amount of a computational load on a computing device. One way of measuring the load may consist of executing a number of instructions, in a unit of time, with numerous cores of the computing device. These embodiments may compare the number of instructions executed with specific thresholds. Depending on whether the number of instructions is higher or lower than the thresholds, the computing devices may respond by activating and deactivating cores of the computing devices. By limiting execution of instructions of the computing device to a smaller number of cores and switching one or more cores to a lower power state, the devices may conserve power.
184 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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executing, via a first number of cores of a computing device, a number of instructions in a unit of time; detecting that the number of instructions executed is less than a threshold; limiting execution of instructions of the computing device from the first number of cores to a second number of cores in response to the detecting that the number of instructions executed is below the threshold, wherein the second number is less than the first number; and switching a core of the first number of cores from a first power state to a second power state, wherein power consumption of the second power state is less than power consumption of the first power state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus, comprising:
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a demand determiner to determine a demand of a pool of cores, wherein the demand comprises execution of a number of instructions in a unit of time by the pool of cores; a core switcher to switch power states of one or more cores of the pool of cores; and a power controller to cause the core switcher to switch a core of the pool of cores from a first power state to a second power state in response to the demand determiner determining the demand is less than a threshold. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A computer program product comprising:
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a computer readable storage medium including instructions that, when executed by at least one processor; execute a number of instructions in a unit of time via a plurality of cores; detect that the number of instructions executed is less than a threshold; and change a power state of a core in the plurality of cores from a first power state to a second power state, wherein the change is in response to the detection of the number being less than the threshold, wherein further power consumption of the second power state is lower than power consumption of the first power state. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification