Performance-based graphics processing unit power management
US9978343B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 10, 2016 |
| Grant date | May 22, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 9, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG09G2360/08
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Performance counters provided in a graphics processor unit (GPU) are used to provide values used to make a determination of GPU activity so that power management can be exercised. In preferred embodiments counter values relating to computation unit idle times, computation unit stall times, DRAM bandwidth and computation unit stall times due to a sampler wait are utilized to determine performance level. If performance is above a minimum level but the GPU is above certain idleness determinations provided by those values, the GPU can have portions powered down to reduce power consumption while not having a noticeable effect on operations. Based on the various counter values, portions of the GPU can be turned off or disabled to reduce power consumption without having a noticeable effect on perceived GPU performance.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.