摘要:
A system and method for managing multiple discrete operating points to create a stable virtual operating point. One or more functional blocks within a processor produces data corresponding to an activity level associated with the respective functional block. A power manager determines a power consumption value based on the data once every given sample interval. In addition, the power manager determines a signed accumulated difference over time between a thermal design power (TDP) and the power consumption value. The power manager selects a next power-performance state (P-state) based on comparisons of the signed accumulated difference and given thresholds. Transitioning between P-states in this manner while the workload does not significantly change causes the processor to operate at a virtual operating point between supported discrete operating points.
摘要:
A processor power limiter and method is provided. The processor includes a first programmable location configured to store a processor power target. A power monitor is configured to estimate a power dissipation due to processor load. A power controller is configured to adjust a processor power parameter based on the power target and the power dissipation. The processor may include an interface for an operating system. A second programmable location may be configured to store a software processor power target accessible by the operating system. The processor may also include a sideband interface for an external agent. A third programmable location may be configured to store an agent processor power target accessible by the external agent. The power controller may be configured to adjust a processor core voltage and/or frequency such that the power dissipation stays below the processor power target, software processor power target and the agent processor power target.
摘要:
A processor power limiter and method is provided. The processor includes a first programmable location configured to store a processor power target. A power monitor is configured to estimate a measured power dissipation within the processor. A power controller is configured to adjust a processor power parameter based on the power target and the measured power dissipation. The processor may include an interface for an operating system. A second programmable location may be configured to store a software processor power target accessible by the operating system. The processor may also include a sideband interface for an external agent. A third programmable location may be configured to store an agent processor power target accessible by the external agent. The power controller may be configured to adjust a processor core voltage and/or frequency such that the measured dissipation stays below the processor power target, software processor power target and the agent processor power target.
摘要:
A system and method for efficient reporting of power usage. A power reporting unit within a processor receives a power consumption number once every sample interval from a power monitor. The power monitor determines a power consumption number based on data corresponding to activity levels of one or more functional blocks within the processor. This data corresponds to each of a number of sampled signals within the one or more functional blocks rather than temperature. Thus, the data is independent of environment temperature variations. An average power consumption number is computed based on received power consumption numbers for a running time interval, wherein the running time interval is larger than the sample interval. This value is conveyed to an external agent, such as a controller for a data center rack system. Responsive to receiving and processing the average power consumption number, the external agent may perform one or more actions. For example, the external agent may cause changes in a cooling system.
摘要:
A system and method for efficient reporting of power usage. A power reporting unit within a processor receives a power consumption number once every sample interval from a power monitor. The power monitor determines a power consumption number based on sampled signals within one or more functional blocks in the processor, rather than based on temperature. An average power consumption number is computed based on received power consumption numbers for a running time interval, wherein the running time interval is larger than the sample interval. This value is conveyed to an external agent. Responsive to receiving and processing the average power consumption number, the external agent may cause changes in a cooling system.
摘要:
A method and an apparatus are described that delay application of a higher order Power Density Multiplier (PDM) using a time based moving average of a number of active cores in a multicore system. A PDM is applied to a thermal design power budget of a thermal entity and performance of the thermal entity is increased by transferring available power from a thermal entity not in an active state to a thermal entity in an active state. Sufficient time is allowed for the cooling effect of reduced active cores, to influence the active core that receives the extra power (a higher PDM). Similarly delaying application of a lower PDM with the same moving average, but a different threshold, allows a core to retain a higher power allocation until the more active neighbor core(s) cause it to heat up, thereby boosting core performance.
摘要:
A method and an apparatus are described that delay application of a higher order Power Density Multiplier (PDM) using a time based moving average of a number of active cores in a multicore system. A PDM is applied to a thermal design power budget of a thermal entity and performance of the thermal entity is increased by transferring available power from a thermal entity not in an active state to a thermal entity in an active state. Sufficient time is allowed for the cooling effect of reduced active cores, to influence the active core that receives the extra power (a higher PDM). Similarly delaying application of a lower PDM with the same moving average, but a different threshold, allows a core to retain a higher power allocation until the more active neighbor core(s) cause it to heat up, thereby boosting core performance.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for load step, or instantaneous current spike, mitigation are provided. In the method and apparatus, load steps are mitigated if a computer system a whole is lightly load, which may be determined by the power consumption of the computer system. Further, load steps are mitigated if a number of processor cores capable of inducing a load step is higher than a threshold. The Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) performance state of the cores is used to determine a core's potential for generating a load step. A processor core is instructed to mitigate load steps if conditions are met for the mitigation.
摘要:
A central processing unit (processor) having multiple cores and a method for controlling the performance of the processor. The processor includes a first storage location configured to store a first threshold associated with a first boost performance state (P-State). The processor also includes logic circuitry configured to increase performance of active processor cores when an inactive processor core count meets or exceeds the first threshold. The processor may also include a second storage location configured to store a second threshold associated with a second boost P-State. The logic circuitry may be configured to compare the inactive processor core count to the first and second thresholds, select one of the first and second boost P-States and increase performance of active processor cores based on the selected boost P-State.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for load step, or instantaneous current spike, mitigation are provided. In the method and apparatus, load steps are mitigated if a computer system a whole is lightly load, which may be determined by the power consumption of the computer system. Further, load steps are mitigated if a number of processor cores capable of inducing a load step is higher than a threshold. The Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) performance state of the cores is used to determine a core's potential for generating a load step. A processor core is instructed to mitigate load steps if conditions are met for the mitigation.