Power consumption management

• US 20100318818A1
• Filed: 06/15/2010
• Published: 12/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Mangione-Smith, William Henry
• Granted Patent: US 9,274,582 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/300
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/329 by task scheduling
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/0706 the processing taking place on a specific hardware platform or in a specific software environment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/0721 within a central processing unit [CPU]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/0724 in a multiprocessor or a multi-core unit multiprocessors per se G06F15/80
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/0793 Remedial or corrective actions recovery from an exception in an instruction pipeline G06F9/3861; by retry G06F11/1402; for recovering from a failure of a protocol instance or entity H04L69/40
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1407 Checkpointing the instruction stream
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/3836 Instruction issuing, e.g. dynamic instruction scheduling or out of order instruction execution
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/3863 using multiple copies of the architectural state, e.g. shadow registers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/3869 Implementation aspects, e.g. pipeline latches; pipeline synchronisation and clocking
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/5094 where the allocation takes into account power or heat criteria power management in computers in general G06F1/3203; thermal management in computers in general G06F1/206
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

Embodiments include a system, an apparatus, a device, and a method. A system includes a power module operable to determine respective indicia of power consumed in executing at least one instruction by a first subcircuit and by a second subcircuit of a synchronous circuit. The system also includes a scheduler module operable to direct an execution task to a subcircuit selected from the first subcircuit and the second subcircuit. The subcircuit selection is responsive to the determined respective indicia of power consumption by the first subcircuit and by the second subcircuit.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

determining an indicia of energy expended by a first subcircuit and by a second subcircuit of a synchronous circuit during respective executions of at least one instruction; and

directing an execution task to a subcircuit selected from the first subcircuit and the second subcircuit and based upon the determined indicia of energy expended by the first subcircuit and by the second subcircuit.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining an indicia of energy expended by a first subcircuit and by a second subcircuit of a synchronous circuit during respective executions of at least one instruction includes:

determining an energy expended by a first subcircuit and by a second subcircuit of a synchronous circuit during respective executions of at least one instruction.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining an indicia of energy expended by a first subcircuit and by a second subcircuit of a synchronous circuit during respective executions of at least one instruction includes:

determining a current consumed by a first subcircuit and by a second subcircuit of a synchronous circuit during respective executions of at least one instruction.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining an indicia of energy expended by a first subcircuit and by a second subcircuit of a synchronous circuit during respective executions of at least one instruction includes:

determining a temperature of a first subcircuit and of a second subcircuit of a synchronous circuit during respective executions of at least one instruction.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining an indicia of energy expended by a first subcircuit and by a second subcircuit of a synchronous circuit during respective executions of at least one instruction includes:

determining an indicia of energy expended by a first subcircuit and by a second subcircuit of a synchronous circuit during respective executions of a test instruction group.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the directing an execution task to a subcircuit selected from the first subcircuit and the second subcircuit and based upon the determined indicia of energy expended by the first subcircuit and by the second subcircuit includes:

directing an execution task to a subcircuit selected from the first subcircuit and the second subcircuit and based upon a determined lower indicia of energy expended by the selected subcircuit than for the non-selected subcircuit.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the directing an execution task to a subcircuit selected from the first subcircuit and the second subcircuit and based upon the determined indicia of energy expended by the first subcircuit and by the second subcircuit includes:

directing an execution task to a subcircuit selected from the first subcircuit and the second subcircuit and based upon a determined lower power consumption by the selected subcircuit than for the non-selected subcircuit.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the directing an execution task to a subcircuit selected from the first subcircuit and the second subcircuit and based upon the determined indicia of energy expended by the first subcircuit and by the second subcircuit includes:

directing an execution task to a subcircuit selected from the first subcircuit and the second subcircuit and based upon an availability of the selected subcircuit and the determined indicia of energy expended by the selected subcircuit.

9. A device comprising:

means for determining an indicia of energy expended by a first subcircuit and by a second subcircuit of a circuit during respective executions of at least one instruction; and

means for directing an execution task to a subcircuit selected from the first subcircuit and the second subcircuit and based upon the determined indicia of energy expended by the first subcircuit and by the second subcircuit.

10. A system comprising:

a power module operable to determine respective indicia of power consumed in executing a test operation by a first subcircuit and by a second subcircuit of a circuit; and

a scheduler module operable to direct an operation to a subcircuit selected from the first subcircuit and the second subcircuit, the subcircuit selection based upon the determined respective indicia of power consumption by the first subcircuit and by the second subcircuit.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the power module operable to determine respective indicia of power consumed in executing a test operation by a first subcircuit and by a second subcircuit of a circuit includes:

a power module operable to determine respective indicia of power consumed in executing a task by a first subcircuit and by a second subcircuit of a circuit.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the power module operable to determine respective indicia of power consumed in executing a test operation by a first subcircuit and by a second subcircuit of a circuit includes:

a power module operable to determine respective indicia of power consumed in executing at least one instruction of a program by a first subcircuit and by a second subcircuit of a circuit.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the power module operable to determine respective indicia of power consumed in executing a test operation by a first subcircuit and by a second subcircuit of a circuit includes:

a power module operable to determine respective indicia of power consumed in executing at least one instruction of an application by a first subcircuit and by a second subcircuit of a circuit.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the power module operable to determine respective indicia of power consumed in executing a test operation by a first subcircuit and by a second subcircuit of a circuit includes:

a power module operable to determine respective indicia of power consumed in executing at least one instruction of an instruction group by a first subcircuit and by a second subcircuit of a circuit.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the power module operable to determine respective indicia of power consumed in executing a test operation by a first subcircuit and by a second subcircuit of a circuit includes:

a hardware-implemented power module operable to determine respective indicia of power consumed in executing a test operation by a first subcircuit and by a second subcircuit of a circuit.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the power module operable to determine respective indicia of power consumed in executing a test operation by a first subcircuit and by a second subcircuit of a circuit includes:

a power module implemented in at least one of hardware, software, firmware, and/or a microengine and operable to determine respective indicia of power consumed in executing a test operation by a first subcircuit and by a second subcircuit of a circuit.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein the power module operable to determine respective indicia of power consumed in executing a test operation by a first subcircuit and by a second subcircuit of a circuit includes:

a power module operable to respectively determine a power consumption to execute a test operation by a first subcircuit and by a second subcircuit of a circuit.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein the power module operable to determine respective indicia of power consumed in executing a test operation by a first subcircuit and by a second subcircuit of a circuit includes:

a power module operable to respectively determine an indicia of temperature resulting from an executing of a test operation by a first subcircuit and by a second subcircuit of a circuit.

19. The system of claim 10, wherein the power module operable to determine respective indicia of power consumed in executing a test operation by a first subcircuit and by a second subcircuit of a circuit includes:

a power module operable to respectively determine an indicia of a current flow resulting from an executing of a test operation by a first subcircuit and by a second subcircuit of a circuit.

20. The system of claim 10, wherein the power module operable to determine respective indicia of power consumed in executing test operation by a first subcircuit and by a second subcircuit of a circuit includes:

a power module operable to respectively determine a respective indicia of power consumed in executing at least one instruction by a first subcircuit and by a second subcircuit of a synchronous circuit.

21. The system of claim 10, wherein the scheduler module operable to direct an operation to a subcircuit selected from the first subcircuit and the second subcircuit, the subcircuit selection based upon the determined respective indicia of power consumption by the first subcircuit and by the second subcircuit includes:

a scheduler module implemented in at least one of hardware, software, firmware, and/or a microengine and operable to direct an operation to a subcircuit selected from the first subcircuit and the second subcircuit, the subcircuit selection based upon the determined respective indicia of power consumption by the first subcircuit and by the second subcircuit.

22. The system of claim 10, wherein the scheduler module operable to direct an operation to a subcircuit selected from the first subcircuit and the second subcircuit, the subcircuit selection based upon the determined respective indicia of power consumption by the first subcircuit and by the second subcircuit includes:

a scheduler module operable to direct an operation to a subcircuit selected based upon a determined lower indicia of power consumption for the selected subcircuit than the non-selected subcircuit.

23. The system of claim 10, wherein the scheduler module operable to direct an operation to a subcircuit selected from the first subcircuit and the second subcircuit, the subcircuit selection based upon the determined respective indicia of power consumption by the first subcircuit and by the second subcircuit includes:

a scheduler module operable to direct an operation to a subcircuit selected in response to a criterion that includes a determined lower indicia of power consumption for the selected subcircuit than for the non-selected subcircuit.

24. The system of claim 10, wherein the scheduler module operable to direct an operation to a subcircuit selected from the first subcircuit and the second subcircuit, the subcircuit selection based upon the determined respective indicia of power consumption by the first subcircuit and by the second subcircuit includes:

a scheduler module operable to direct an execution task to a subcircuit selected from the first subcircuit and the second subcircuit based upon the determined respective indicia of power consumption by the first subcircuit and by the second subcircuit.

25. The system of claim 10, wherein the scheduler module operable to direct an operation to a subcircuit selected from the first subcircuit and the second subcircuit, the subcircuit selection based upon the determined respective indicia of power consumption by the first subcircuit and by the second subcircuit includes:

a scheduler module operable to direct an execution of at least one instruction to a subcircuit selected from the first subcircuit and the second subcircuit, the subcircuit selection based upon the determined respective indicia of power consumption by the first subcircuit and by the second subcircuit.

26. The system of claim 10, wherein the scheduler module operable to direct an operation to a subcircuit selected from the first subcircuit and the second subcircuit, the subcircuit selection based upon the determined respective indicia of power consumption by the first subcircuit and by the second subcircuit includes:

a scheduler module operable to direct an execution of at least one instruction of a program to a subcircuit selected from the first subcircuit and the second subcircuit, the subcircuit selection based upon the determined respective indicia of power consumption by the first subcircuit and by the second subcircuit.

27. The system of claim 10, wherein the scheduler module operable to direct an operation to a subcircuit selected from the first subcircuit and the second subcircuit, the subcircuit selection based upon the determined respective indicia of power consumption by the first subcircuit and by the second subcircuit includes:

a scheduler module operable to direct an execution of at least one instruction of an application to a subcircuit selected from the first subcircuit and the second subcircuit, the subcircuit selection based upon the determined respective indicia of power consumption by the first subcircuit and by the second subcircuit.

28. The system of claim 10, wherein the scheduler module operable to direct an operation to a subcircuit selected from the first subcircuit and the second subcircuit, the subcircuit selection based upon the determined respective indicia of power consumption by the first subcircuit and by the second subcircuit includes:

a scheduler module operable to direct an execution of at least one instruction of an instruction group to a subcircuit selected from the first subcircuit and the second subcircuit, the subcircuit selection based upon the determined respective indicia of power consumption by the first subcircuit and by the second subcircuit.

29. The system of claim 10, wherein the scheduler module operable to direct an operation to a subcircuit selected from the first subcircuit and the second subcircuit, the subcircuit selection based upon the determined respective indicia of power consumption by the first subcircuit and by the second subcircuit includes:

a scheduler module operable to direct at least one of a specific action to be performed, an action to be performed on an entity, performance of a useful act, and/or performance of an act with respect to an entity the result of which is specified by a rule, to a subcircuit selected from the first subcircuit and the second subcircuit, the subcircuit selection based upon the determined respective indicia of power consumption by the first subcircuit and by the second subcircuit.

30. The system of claim 10, wherein the scheduler module operable to direct an operation to a subcircuit selected from the first subcircuit and the second subcircuit, the subcircuit selection based upon the determined respective indicia of power consumption by the first subcircuit and by the second subcircuit includes:

a scheduler module operable to direct an operation to a subcircuit selected from the first subcircuit and the second subcircuit based upon an availability of the selected subcircuit and the determined indicia of power consumption by the selected subcircuit.

31. The system of claim 10, wherein the scheduler module operable to direct an operation to a subcircuit selected from the first subcircuit and the second subcircuit, the subcircuit selection based upon the determined respective indicia of power consumption by the first subcircuit and by the second subcircuit includes:

a scheduler module operable to preferentially direct an operation to a subcircuit selected from the first subcircuit and the second subcircuit based upon an availability of the selected subcircuit and the determined indicia of power consumption by the selected subcircuit.

32. The system of claim 10, wherein the power module and the scheduler module are formed on a single chip.

33. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

the circuit.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the circuit, the power module, and the scheduler module are formed on a single chip.

35. A system comprising:

a circuit including a first subcircuit and a second subcircuit;

a monitor circuit for determining respective indicia of power consumption to execute a test operation by the first subcircuit and by the second subcircuit; and

a manager circuit for scheduling an execution task to a subcircuit selected from the first subcircuit and the second subcircuit based upon the determined respective indicia of power consumption by the first subcircuit and by the second subcircuit.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the circuit including a first subcircuit and a second subcircuit further includes:

a synchronous circuit including a first subsystem and a second subsystem.

37. The system of claim 35, wherein the circuit including a first subcircuit and a second subcircuit further includes:

a synchronous processor including a first processor core and a second processor core.

38. The system of claim 35, wherein the circuit including a first subcircuit and a second subcircuit further includes:

a synchronous uniprocessor including a first subsystem and a second subsystem.

39. The system of claim 35, wherein the circuit including a first subcircuit and a second subcircuit further includes:

a circuit formed on one chip and including a first subcircuit and a second subcircuit.

40. The system of claim 35, wherein the circuit including a first subcircuit and a second subcircuit includes:

a circuit including a first subcircuit formed on a first chip and a second subcircuit formed on a second chip.

41. The system of claim 35, further comprising:

a computing device having the circuit that includes a first subcircuit and a second subcircuit.

42. The system of claim 35, further comprising:

a power supply configured to electrically couple with a portable power source and operable to provide power to the circuit.