Dynamic prescaling for performance counters

摘要

A method of configuring a prescaling circuit in a performance counter circuit for a computer processing system can include receiving a first number of signaled events at a prescaling circuit configured to generate event counts for a performance counter circuit. The method can include generating event counts at a current event-count rate for the first number of signaled events and determining a detected event-count rate for the signaled events based on a rate at which the first number of signaled events are received at the prescaling circuit. The method can include determining that the detected event-count rate is greater than the current event-count rate. The method can include increasing the current event-count rate in response to determining that the detected event-count rate is greater than the current event-count rate.

主权项

1. A method of configuring a prescaling circuit in a performance counter circuit for a computer processing system, the method comprising:
receiving a first number of signaled events at a prescaling circuit configured to generate event counts for a performance counter circuit; generating event counts at a current event-count rate for the first number of signaled events; determining, upon expiration of a sample period, a first number of event counts generated during the sample period; determining that the first number of event counts generated during the sample period triggers a lower threshold; and increasing the current event-count rate in response to determining that the number of event counts generated triggers the lower threshold.