Patent · US Active

Predictive power gating with optional guard mechanism

US8219834B2 · kind B2 · utility

6Cited by
8References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 12, 2009
Grant dateJul 10, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 5, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F1/3203
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A mechanism is provided for predictively power gating a set of units within the data processing system. A second-level power gating controller monitors a set of events for each unit in a set of units within the data processing system. The second-level power gating controller identifies idle sequences of a predetermined set of cycles within the events from each unit where the unit is idle. The second-level power gating controller determines preceding sequences of a predetermined length that precede the idle sequences. The second-level power gating controller determines an accuracy of the preceding sequences. Responsive to the accuracy being above a threshold, the second-level power gating controller sends a permit command to a first-level power gating mechanism associated with the unit to permit power gating of the unit.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.