Task based adaptative profilig and debugging

• US 20020053684A1
• Filed: 08/17/2001
• Published: 05/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Chauvel, Gerard, DʼInverno, Dominique
• Granted Patent: US 7,062,304 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 257/200
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/206 comprising thermal management
• 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 11/3013 where the computing system is an embedded system, i.e. a combination of hardware and software dedicated to perform a certain function in mobile devices, printers, automotive or aircraft systems testing or monitoring of control systems or parts thereof G05B23/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3017 where the computing system is implementing multitasking multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46; allocation of resources G06F9/50
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3062 where the monitored property is the power consumption power management in a computing system G06F1/3203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3466 Performance evaluation by tracing or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3636 by tracing the execution of the program
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/0891 using clearing, invalidating or resetting means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/1027 using associative or pseudo-associative address translation means, e.g. translation look-aside buffer [TLB]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/1081 for peripheral access to main memory, e.g. direct memory access [DMA]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2201/81 Threshold
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2201/88 Monitoring involving counting
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2201/885 Monitoring specific for caches
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2212/1028 Power efficiency
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/30043 LOAD or STORE instructions; Clear instruction
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4893 taking 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

A multiprocessor system (10) includes a plurality of processing modules, such as MPUs (12), DSPs (14), and coprocessors/DMA channels (16). Power management software (38) in conjunction with profiles (36) for the various processing modules and the tasks to executed are used to build scenarios which meet predetermined power objectives, such as providing maximum operation within package thermal constraints or using minimum energy. Actual activities associated with the tasks are monitored during operation to ensure compatibility with the objectives. The allocation of tasks may be changed dynamically to accommodate changes in environmental conditions and changes in the task list. Temperatures may be computed at various points in the multiprocessor system by monitoring activity information associated with various subsystems. The activity measurements may be used to compute a current power dissipation distribution over the die. If necessary, the tasks in a scenario may be adjusted to reduce power dissipation. Further, activity counters may be selectively enabled for specific tasks in order to obtain more accurate profile information.

Claims

1. A method of generating energy profiles for a specific task in a processing device executing multiple tasks, comprising the steps of:

receiving a first task identifier indicative of an active task in a processing component;

storing a second task identifier indicating a task to be monitored;

comparing the first and second task identifiers and generating a predetermined signal if the first and second task identifiers match;

measuring activity of certain devices responsive to said predetermined signal.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said measuring step comprises the step of enabling one or more counters responsive to said predetermined signal.

3. The method of claim 1 and further comprising the step of updating an energy profile associated with the task to be monitored.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said updating step comprises the step of updating an energy profile responsive to said measuring step during operation of said processing device.

5. The method of claim 4 and further comprising the step of executing a plurality of tasks in accordance with a scenario defining scheduling of said plurality of tasks and modifying said scenario responsive to said step of updating an energy profile.

6. The method of claim 1 and further comprising the step of performing a debugging operation responsive to said measuring step.

7. A processing device for multitasking multiple tasks comprising:

circuitry for receiving a first task identifier indicative of an active task in a processing component;

a memory for storing a second task identifier indicating a task to be monitored;

a comparator for comparing the first and second task identifiers and generating a predetermined signal if the first and second task identifiers match;

circuitry for measuring activity of certain devices responsive to said predetermined signal.

8. The processing device of claim 7 wherein said measuring circuitry comprises the one or more counters that are enabled or disabled by to said predetermined signal.

9. The processing device of claim 7 wherein data from said circuitry for measuring activity updates an energy profile associated with the task to be monitored.

10. The processing device of claim 9 wherein said energy profile is updated during operation of said processing device.

11. The processing device of claim 10 wherein said plurality of tasks are executed in accordance with a scenario defining scheduling of said plurality of tasks and said scenario is updated responsive to said step of updating an energy profile.

12. The processing device of claim 7 and further comprising circuitry for implementing a debugging operation responsive to a value in said measuring circuitry.

13. A mobile communications device comprising:

an antenna for receiving and transmitting signals; and

receiver/transmitter circuitry coupled to said antenna for sending and receiving audio and data signals, said receiver/transmitter circuitry including a processing circuit comprising;

circuitry for receiving a first task identifier indicative of an active task in a processing component;

a memory for storing a second task identifier indicating a task to be monitored;

a comparator for comparing the first and second task identifiers and generating a predetermined signal if the first and second task identifiers match;

circuitry for measuring activity of certain devices responsive to said predetermined signal.