Dynamic voltage and frequency management based on active processors

摘要

In an embodiment, a system may include multiple processors and an automatic power state controller (APSC) configured to switch the processors between various operating points. The operating points may be described by data programmed into the APSC, and the APSC may include a register that is programmable with a target operating point request identifying a target operating point for the processors from among the described operating points. The data describing the operating points may also include an indication of whether or not the number of processors that may be concurrently active at the operating point is limited. Based on the indication and the number of active processors, the APSC may override the requested operating point with a reduced operating point. In some embodiments, a digital power estimator (DPE) may monitor operation of the processors and may throttle the processors when high power consumption is detected.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
a plurality of processors; a power control circuit coupled to the plurality of processors, wherein the power control unit is programmable with data describing a plurality of operating points for the plurality of processors, and wherein the data further includes an indication for each respective operating point of the plurality of operating points indicating a limit to a first number of active processors in the plurality of processors at the respective operating point, wherein exceeding the limit of active processors at the respective operating point would exceed a capability of a power management unit that provides power to the plurality of processors when the active processors are consuming a maximum amount of power, and wherein the power control circuit is configured to detect that a second number of processors to be active exceeds the limit for a selected operating point and to override the selected operating point with a second operating point responsive to the detecting.