Method for optimizing voltage-frequency setup in multi-core processor systems
A method for dynamically operating a multi-core processor system is provided. The method involves ascertaining currently active processor cores, identifying a currently active processor core having a lowest operating frequency, and adjusting at least one operational parameter according to voltage-frequency characteristics corresponding to the identified processor core to fulfill a predefined functional mode, e.g. power optimization mode, performance optimization mode and mixed mode.
1. A method comprising:
ascertaining a first plurality of processor cores from a second plurality of processor cores provided in a multi-core processor, the first plurality of processor cores being operatively switched on, wherein each processor core within the multi-core includes a frequency/voltage controller;
identifying a processor core having a lowest operating frequency from among the first plurality of processor cores; and
based on a predefined functional mode, adjusting at least one operational parameter according to predetermined voltage-frequency characteristics corresponding to the identified processor core with its frequency/voltage controller.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein ascertaining the first plurality of processor cores is performed upon detecting a state change in any of the first and the second plurality of processor cores.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of processor cores is ascertained when at least one of the first plurality of processor cores becomes operatively switched-off.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of processor cores is ascertained when at least one of the second plurality of processor cores becomes operatively switched-on.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the predefined functional mode is one of a power optimization mode and a performance optimization mode.
6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein adjusting at least one operational parameter includes adjusting only an operating voltage in a power optimization mode.
7. The method according to claim 5 , wherein adjusting at least one operational parameter includes adjusting only an operating frequency in a performance optimization mode.
8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein adjusting at least one operational parameter includes adjusting an operating voltage and an operating frequency in a mixed mode.
9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein adjusting at least one operational parameter includes operating at a frequency higher than the adjusted operational parameter.
10. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions, comprising:
ascertaining a first plurality of processor cores from a second plurality of processor cores provided in a multi-core processor, the first plurality of processor cores being operatively switched on, wherein each processor core within the multi-core includes a frequency/voltage controller;
identifying a processor core having a lowest operating frequency from among the first plurality of processor cores; and
based on a predefined functional mode, adjusting at least one operational parameter according to predetermined voltage-frequency characteristics corresponding to the identified processor core with its frequency/voltage controller.
11. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 10 , wherein the first plurality of processor cores is ascertained when at least one of the first plurality of processor cores becomes operatively switched off.
12. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 10 , wherein the first plurality of processor cores is ascertained when at least one of the second plurality of processor cores becomes operatively switched on.
13. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 10 , wherein adjusting at least one operational parameter includes adjusting only an operating voltage in a power optimization mode.
14. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 10 , wherein adjusting at least one operational parameter includes adjusting only an operating frequency in a performance optimization mode.
15. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 10 , wherein adjusting at least one operational parameter includes operating at a frequency higher than the adjusted operational parameter.