Multicore processor and method of use that adapts core functions based on workload execution
First Claim
1. A method for re-configuration of a processor having plural cores to execute a workload, at least some of the plural cores having plural selectable functions, the method comprising:
- setting a first function for at least one of the plural cores, and a second function for at least another of the plural cores, the first and second functions selected from the plural selectable functions, each selectable function associated with execution of a predetermined workload type executing on a core, wherein the setting is based on predicted function utilization with the workload;
monitoring utilization of at least some of the plural cores;
detecting a higher utilization of the at least one of the plural cores having the first of the plural functions relative to the at least another of the plural cores having the second of the plural functions; and
in response to detecting, re-configuring at least one of the plural cores having the second function to have the first function by replacing a program in a programmable array to change the function at the at least one of the plural cores from the second function to the first function to balance utilization for the at least some of the cores.
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Abstract
A processor has multiple cores with each core having an associated function to support processor operations. The functions performed by the cores are selectively altered to improve processor operations by balancing the resources applied for each function. For example, each core comprises a field programmable array that is selectively and dynamically programmed to perform a function, such as a floating point function or a fixed point function, based on the number of operations that use each function. As another example, a processor is built with a greater number of cores than can be simultaneously powered, each core associated with a function, so that cores having functions with lower utilization are selectively powered down.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for re-configuration of a processor having plural cores to execute a workload, at least some of the plural cores having plural selectable functions, the method comprising:
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setting a first function for at least one of the plural cores, and a second function for at least another of the plural cores, the first and second functions selected from the plural selectable functions, each selectable function associated with execution of a predetermined workload type executing on a core, wherein the setting is based on predicted function utilization with the workload; monitoring utilization of at least some of the plural cores; detecting a higher utilization of the at least one of the plural cores having the first of the plural functions relative to the at least another of the plural cores having the second of the plural functions; and in response to detecting, re-configuring at least one of the plural cores having the second function to have the first function by replacing a program in a programmable array to change the function at the at least one of the plural cores from the second function to the first function to balance utilization for the at least some of the cores. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A processor comprising:
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plural cores, each core having one of plural functions, each function associated with a workload executed on a core, at least one re-configurable core of the plural cores having a programmable array with a selected of at least a first or second program, the first program configuring the re-configurable core to a first of the plural functions associated with execution of a first operation on the re-configurable core, the second program configuring the re-configurable core to a second of the plural functions associated with execution of a second operation on the re-configurable core; a performance monitor interfaced with the plural cores and operable to monitor utilization of the cores to detect higher utilization of cores having the first function relative to the second function; and a function manager interfaced with the performance monitor and operable to selectively alter the operation of the cores to manage utilization of the cores by replacing the program of the programmable array to change the function at the at least one re-configurable core from the second function to the first function. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for configuration of a processor to execute a software workload that uses at least one of a floating point and an integer function, the processor having plural cores, at least some of the plural cores having one of the floating point and integer functions, the method comprising:
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setting the integer and floating point functions to an initial number of cores based on predetermined function utilization as asserted with the workload; analyzing execution of the software workload on the processor to determine a higher utilization of the at least some of the plural cores having one of the floating point and integer functions relative to the at least some of the plural cores having the other of the floating point and integer functions; selectively re-programming at least some of the cores based on the utilization of the cores having the floating point and integer functions, the re-programming altering the function executed on at least one of the cores to perform the floating point or integer function having the higher utilization instead of the other function; and performing the software workload with the processor. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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Specification