# Patent

## Title
Independent power control of processing cores

## Abstract

Independent power control of two or more processing cores. More particularly, at least one embodiment of the invention pertains to a technique to place at least one processing core in a power state without coordinating with the power state of one or more other processing cores.

## Background
PRIORITY
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 12/899,311, filed Oct. 6, 2010, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 11/555,609, filed Nov. 1, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,949,887, issued May 24, 2011, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.


BACKGROUND
1. Field
The present disclosure pertains to the field of computing and computer systems, and, more specifically, to the field of power control of microprocessors.
2. Background
Some computing systems and microprocessors may contain multiple processing elements, or “cores”, to execute instructions of a program and perform some function in response thereto. For example, multiple processing cores may exist on the same processor die. Alternatively or conjunctively, some computer systems may include multiple processors, each having one or more processing cores. Moreover, some computing systems and microprocessors may be able to control power consumption of one or more processing cores by placing the cores in various power states, which may be defined according to a power specification, such as ACPI (defined) or some other specification.
However, processing systems and microprocessors may not be able to control the power states of each processing core independently, but must coordinate a power state changes among the various cores present in the system or processor by using such techniques as polling the power state of other processing cores or otherwise detecting the power state of other cores in some way. Accordingly, the power states of a processing core may be dependent upon at least one other processing core in a computing system or processor.
Because some processing systems or processors may rely on the processing states of one or more cores to control the processing state of a particular core, the system or processor may require additional control circuitry to change a core's power state. Furthermore, polling or otherwise detecting power states of other processing cores before being able to change the power state of a particular processing core may require additional time before the core's processor state may be changed, which can degrade processing performance. Ironically, the additional circuitry needed to coordinate a power state change of a processing core with one or more other processing cores may cause the processor or system to draw more power, thereby at least partially offsetting the power consumption reduction of reducing a power state change intended to conserve power.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the accompanying figures.
FIG. 1 illustrates a multi-core processor, in which at least one embodiment of the invention may be used.
FIG. 2 illustrates a processor core and uncore logic in which one embodiment of the invention may be used.
FIG. 3 illustrates power control logic according to one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating operations used in changing power states of at least one processing core according to one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 5 illustrates a shared-bus computing system in which at least one embodiment of the invention may be used.
FIG. 6 illustrates a point-to-point computing system in which at least one embodiment of the invention may be used.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments of the invention relate to computer systems. More particularly, some embodiments of the invention relate to a technique to control power consumption of two or more processing cores or portions of cores independently of each other. At least one embodiment of the invention enables at least one processing core to enter a number of power states without consideration to the power state at least one other processing core within the same processor or computing system. At least one embodiment, enables independent power control of circuits or functional blocks within one or more cores.
At least one embodiment of the invention may control power consumption of one or more cores by adjusting one or more clocks and/or operating voltages used by the core. For example, one embodiment may use control logic to enable or disable, voltage transformers, charge pumps, or some other voltage altering mechanism to control the voltage to one or more portions of a processor or processing core. Alternatively or conjunctively, one embodiment may use control logic to enable or disable one or more phase lock loops (PLLs), clock dividers, or some other clock gating mechanism to control the frequency, phase, duration, etc., of one or more clock signals used to operate one or more portions of a processor or processing core.
Moreover, power consumption of processing components, such as a processor or core, may be controlled according to a specification, so that an operating system or other software or hardware may place the component into one or more power states, such that the difference, ratio, or range of power consumption change may be known in relation to other power consumption states. One such specification is the ACPI power specification, which, among other things, may define a number of component power states (or “c states”) according to a range by which power consumed by the component is to change in relation to the other component power states by placing the component in a particular power state. A component, such as a processing core, may be capable of supporting several ranges of power consumption defined by a specification by adjusting the clocks, operating voltage, or both.
In the case of ACPI, for example, a processing core, according to one embodiment, may support the ability to enter a “c3” state, in which the operating voltage of a core or processor is reduced to the minimum level required to retain state, rather than change output data, while the operating voltage. In other embodiments, other power states may be supported by a processor and/or core, either included in the ACPI specification or in some other specification.
At least one embodiment of the invention may place a processor or processing core into a particular power state (defined by ACPI or otherwise) without regard to and without first coordinating with another processor or core within the same system or die. Advantageously, embodiments of the invention may enjoy greater power control flexibility, while reducing the time and/or logic necessary to change a processor or core power state, than in some of the prior art.
FIG. 1 illustrates a multi-core processor, in which at least one embodiment of the invention may be used. Specifically, FIG. 1 illustrates a processor 100 having processing cores 105 and 110 integrated within the same die. In other embodiments, the cores may be on separate die or may be in separate processors. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may also be applied to processors or systems having more than two cores or processors. The exact arrangement or configuration of the cores in FIG. 1 are not important to embodiments of the invention. In some embodiments, numerous cores may be arranged in other configurations, such as a ring. Located within each core of FIG. 1 is a power controller to control the power consumed by the respective core. In other embodiments, each core's power may be controlled by logic (software, hardware, or both) located elsewhere, including outside of the processor.
Illustrated within the cores of FIG. 1 are pipeline stages for processing instructions. In other embodiments, other logic may be found within the cores. In one embodiment, the cores are out-of-order execution cores, whereas in other embodiments, they may process instructions in-order. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the cores may be of different types with different logic located within.
FIG. 2 illustrates a processor core, in which at least one embodiment may be used. The processor core 200 illustrated in FIG. 1 may include one or more output circuits 207 to drive data onto one or more buses connected to either or both cores, such that data can be delivered to other circuits, devices, or logic within the processor or outside of the processor. Also located within, or otherwise associated with, each processor core of FIG. 1 is one or more power circuits 208 to reduce or increase the operating voltage of one or more portions of the core, as well as one or more clock modification circuits 209, such as one or more PLLs, to modify one or more clock signal frequencies, phases, work cycles, etc. In one embodiment, the one or more power circuits may include a number of transistors to implement a voltage divide circuit. The power circuits may use other devices or circuits to reduce or increase power to the cores, including charge pumps, voltage transformer circuits, etc.
In one embodiment, the core of FIG. 2 may have its power consumption adjusted according to various power states through power control logic 215. In one embodiment, the power control logic can respond to activity levels of each core independently of one another to adjust the voltage and/or the clock(s) used by each core, without coordinating, or otherwise detecting, the power states of the other core(s). For example, in one embodiment, the power control logic may detect a change in the work load or activities, or receive a signal from a detection circuit to detect the change in work load or activity, of a corresponding core and adjust either the voltage (via the power circuits) or one or more clocks (via the clock modification circuits) or both to put the core into a power state that best matches the requirements of the activity level or load. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the control logic may change the voltage and/or clock(s) of the core(s) in response to a thermal change in the core(s), or a change in the amount of current being drawn by the core(s).
In one embodiment, for example, the power drawn by a core is reduced if the core is relatively idle for a period of time. In one embodiment, the power is reduced in the core by placing the core in a c3 state or some other power state. Furthermore, in one embodiment the core is placed into a new power state without first detecting the power state of another core in the processor or system, or otherwise coordinating the change of power state with another core. Advantageously, at least one embodiment may enable each core to respond to power conditions and requirements on the core independently of other cores, such that each core may adjust its power consumption without regard to the power states of other cores.
In addition to the core logic, other circuits may be included in the processor, such as “un-core” logic. The un-core logic may include circuits to perform other functions besides those performed by the core, such as memory interface functions, digital signal processing functions, graphics functions, etc. In one embodiment, the power consumed by the un-core logic may be controlled in a similar manner as described in regard to the one or more cores. Furthermore, in some embodiments, in which the core and un-core logic have different voltage and/or clocking requirements, the power consumed by the core and un-core logic may be controlled independently of each other, just as the power consumed by the cores may be controlled independently of each other.
FIG. 3 illustrates power control logic, according to one embodiment, which may place a core or un-core logic, and corresponding outputs, into one of the power states illustrated in Table 1. The power control logic 300 includes at least one input 301 to detect at least one condition of a corresponding core or un-core logic. In one embodiment, the at least one condition may be a prescribed period of relative inactivity of the core or uncore, whereas in other embodiments, the condition may be a particular level of power consumption or thermal condition of the core or un-core logic. In other embodiments, other conditions or some combination of conditions may be detected by the power control logic or some other detection logic in order to indicate to the control logic whether to place the corresponding core or un-core logic into a different power state.
Power control logic 300 also includes an output 310 to control one or more PLLs responsible for delivering a clock signal to the corresponding core or un-core logic. Furthermore, the power control logic 300 may also include an output to control a voltage modification logic or circuit, such as one using one or more power transistors, voltage divider, or voltage transformation device. In other embodiments, the power control logic may include more inputs and/or more or fewer outputs. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the power control logic may be located within the same processor as the core it controls, whereas in other embodiments, it may be located outside of a processor containing a core it controls. In one embodiment, the power control logic may be implemented using hardware circuits, whereas in other embodiments, the power control logic may be implemented in software, or both hardware and software.
The power control logic may control the power of a core according to any number of logical operations, depending on the circumstances in which a core is to be power controlled. However, the power control logic may not require coordination with other control logic controlling the power of other cores, such that the power control logic may control the power of a core independently of the power state or power control of any other core or processing element. Advantageously, the power control logic may control the power consumption of a core (or number of cores) without detecting a power state of another core, or otherwise coordinating with other cores, such that power control of each core may be performed more efficiently than some prior art power control techniques.
FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating operations that may be performed according to one embodiment. For example, at operation 401, power control logic receives a signal to indicate some power-related condition of a core being power controlled by the power control logic. If the signal indicates a first condition at operation 405, the power control logic may place a core or un-core logic into a first power state at operation 407, such as an ACPI c3 state, whereas if a second condition is indicated by the signal at operation 410, the power control logic may place the core or un-core logic into a second power state at operation 413. In at least one embodiment, a number of cores may be power controlled according to at least the above operations independently of each other.
FIG. 5 illustrates a front-side-bus (FSB) computer system in which one embodiment of the invention may be used. A processor 505 accesses data from a level one (L1) cache memory 510 and main memory 515. In other embodiments of the invention, the cache memory may be a level two (L2) cache or other memory within a computer system memory hierarchy. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the computer system of FIG. 5 may contain both a L1 cache and an L2 cache.
The main memory may be implemented in various memory sources, such as dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), a hard disk drive (HDD) 520, or a memory source located remotely from the computer system via network interface 530 containing various storage devices and technologies. The cache memory may be located either within the processor or in close proximity to the processor, such as on the processor's local bus 507.
Furthermore, the cache memory may contain relatively fast memory cells, such as a six-transistor (6T) cell, or other memory cell of approximately equal or faster access speed. The computer system of FIG. 5 may be a point-to-point (PtP) network of bus agents, such as microprocessors, that communicate via bus signals dedicated to each agent on the PtP network. FIG. 6 illustrates a computer system that is arranged in a point-to-point (PtP) configuration. In particular, FIG. 6 shows a system where processors, memory, and input/output devices are interconnected by a number of point-to-point interfaces.
The system of FIG. 6 may also include several processors, of which only two, processors 670, 680 are shown for clarity. Processors 670, 680 may each include a local memory controller hub (MCH) 672, 682 to connect with memory 22, 24. Processors 670, 680 may exchange data via a point-to-point (PtP) interface 650 using PtP interface circuits 678, 688. Processors 670, 680 may each exchange data with a chipset 690 via individual PtP interfaces 652, 654 using point to point interface circuits 676, 694, 686, 698. Chipset 690 may also exchange data with a high-performance graphics circuit 638 via a high-performance graphics interface 639. Embodiments of the invention may be located within any processor having any number of processing cores, or within each of the PtP bus agents of FIG. 6.
Other embodiments of the invention, however, may exist in other circuits, logic units, or devices within the system of FIG. 6. Furthermore, in other embodiments of the invention may be distributed throughout several circuits, logic units, or devices illustrated in FIG. 6.
Processors referred to herein, or any other component designed according to an embodiment of the present invention, may be designed in various stages, from creation to simulation to fabrication. Data representing a design may represent the design in a number of manners. First, as is useful in simulations, the hardware may be represented using a hardware description language or another functional description language. Additionally or alternatively, a circuit level model with logic and/or transistor gates may be produced at some stages of the design process. Furthermore, most designs, at some stage, reach a level where they may be modeled with data representing the physical placement of various devices. In the case where conventional semiconductor fabrication techniques are used, the data representing the device placement model may be the data specifying the presence or absence of various features on different mask layers for masks used to produce an integrated circuit.
In any representation of the design, the data may be stored in any form of a machine-readable medium. An optical or electrical wave modulated or otherwise generated to transmit such information, a memory, or a magnetic or optical storage medium, such as a disc, may be the machine-readable medium. Any of these mediums may “carry” or “indicate” the design, or other information used in an embodiment of the present invention, such as the instructions in an error recovery routine. When an electrical carrier wave indicating or carrying the information is transmitted, to the extent that copying, buffering, or re-transmission of the electrical signal is performed, a new copy is made. Thus, the actions of a communication provider or a network provider may be making copies of an article, e.g., a carrier wave, embodying techniques of the present invention.
Thus, techniques for steering memory accesses, such as loads or stores are disclosed. While certain embodiments have been described, and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon studying this disclosure. In an area of technology such as this, where growth is fast and further advancements are not easily foreseen, the disclosed embodiments may be readily modifiable in arrangement and detail as facilitated by enabling technological advancements without departing from the principles of the present disclosure or the scope of the accompanying claims.
Various aspects of one or more embodiments of the invention may be described, discussed, or otherwise referred to in an advertisement for a processor or computer system in which one or more embodiments of the invention may be used. Such advertisements may include, but are not limited to news print, magazines, billboards, or other paper or otherwise tangible media. In particular, various aspects of one or more embodiments of the invention may be advertised on the internet via websites, “pop-up” advertisements, or other web-based media, whether or not a server hosting the program to generate the website or pop-up is located in the United States of America or its territories.

## Claims

1. A processor comprising:
a first core and a second core integrated on a first die; and
a power controller integrated on the first die to control power consumption of the first core in response to a combination of operating conditions of the first core including a thermal condition, wherein the power controller is to control a first clock modification unit integrated on the first die and a first voltage modification unit integrated on the first die to control the first core power consumption independently of the second core, wherein the power controller is to place the first core in a low power state independently of detection of a power state of the second core, wherein the second core is to receive a normal operating voltage when the first core is in the low power state.

2. The processor of claim 1, wherein the power controller is to cause a minimum supply voltage to be supplied to the first core at which state of the first core is preserved, in the low power state.

3. The processor of claim 1, wherein the power controller is to place the first core into any one of a plurality of power states.

4. The processor of claim 3, wherein at least one of the plurality of power states is to cause the first core to be disabled.

5. The processor of claim 1, wherein the processor further comprises a graphics engine.

6. The processor of claim 1, further comprising at least one un-core logic coupled to first core and the second core.

7. The processor of claim 6, wherein the power controller is to place the at least one un-core logic into any one of a plurality of power states.

8. The processor of claim 7, wherein a first of the plurality of power states is to cause the at least one un-core logic to be in a data retention power state, and a second of the plurality of power states is to cause the at least one un-core logic to be disabled.

9. The processor of claim 6, wherein the at least one un-core logic is to perform any of:
memory interface functions;
digital signal processing functions; and
graphics functions.

10. The processor of claim 1, wherein the first core comprises an out-of-order core and the second core comprises an in-order core.

11. The processor of claim 1, wherein the processor further comprises a plurality of cores to be coupled in a ring.

12. The processor of claim 1, wherein the first core comprises the power controller.

13. A non-transitory machine-readable medium having stored thereon data, which if used by at least one machine, causes the at least one machine to fabricate at least one integrated circuit to perform a method comprising:
receiving a first signal in a first power controller associated with a first core of a multicore processor, the signal indicating a first operating condition of the first core;
changing a power state of the first core in response to detection of a combination of operating conditions of the first core including the first operating condition and a thermal condition, independently of power consumption by the second core of the multicore processor, including adjusting a first clock modification circuit of the first core and a first voltage modification circuit of the first core, the first voltage modification circuit to lower a voltage of the first core to a minimum level at which state of the first core is retained, and causing the second core to receive a normal operating voltage while the minimum voltage is to be applied to the first core.

14. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises placing the first core in a power state without regard to the second core.

15. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the combination of operating conditions includes any combination of:
an activity level of the first core;
a level of power consumption of the first core; and
the thermal condition of the first core.

16. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the combination of operating conditions further comprises a period of relative inactivity of the first core.

17. A system comprising:
a multi-core processor comprising:
a first core having a first phase-locked loop (PLL) and a first voltage modification unit;
a second core having a second PLL and a second voltage modification unit;
a memory controller to interface with a memory;
a first power control logic associated with the first core to control the first PLL to adjust a first clock frequency for the first core and to adjust the first voltage modification unit; and
a second power control logic associated with the second core to control the second PLL to adjust a second clock frequency for the second core independently from the first clock frequency and to adjust the second voltage modification unit based on a combination of conditions of the second core including a thermal condition, wherein the first voltage modification unit is to provide a normal operating voltage to the first core while the second core is in a low power state; and
the memory coupled to the multi-core processor.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising:
an I/O controller; and
a wireless interface.

19. The system of claim 17, further comprising a graphics circuit.