Bibliographic Details
| Title: |
METHOD, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEM FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND ENERGY CONSERVATION INCLUDING AUTONOMOUS HARDWARE-BASED DEEP POWER DOWN IN DEVICES |
| Document Number: |
20120179927 |
| Publication Date: |
July 12, 2012 |
| Appl. No: |
13/335738 |
| Application Filed: |
December 22, 2011 |
| Abstract: |
Embodiments of systems, apparatuses, and methods for energy efficiency and energy conservation including enabling autonomous hardware-based deep power down of devices are described. In one embodiment, a system includes a device, a static memory, and a power control unit coupled with the device and the static memory. The system further includes a deep power down logic of the power control unit to monitor a status of the device, and to transfer the device to a deep power down state when the device is idle. In the system, the device consumes less power when in the deep power down state than in the idle state. |
| Inventors: |
Sodhi, Inder M. (Folsom, CA, US); Naveh, Alon (US); Rajwan, Doron (US); Wells, Ryan D. (Folsom, CA, US); Samson, Eric C. (Folsom, CA, US) |
| Claim: |
1. A system for efficient energy consumption, comprising: a device; a static memory; and a power control unit coupled with the device and the static memory, the power control unit comprises a deep power down logic to monitor a status of the device, and to transfer the device to a deep power down state when the device is idle, wherein the device consumes less power when in the deep power down state than in the idle state. |
| Claim: |
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising: the power control unit to store context data obtained from the device in the static memory when the device is transferred to the deep power down state. |
| Claim: |
3. The system of claim 2, further comprising: in response to the deep power down logic monitoring an event, the deep power down logic to wake the device, wherein the deep power down logic transfers the device to an active state and loads the context data from the static memory into the device. |
| Claim: |
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the event is a processor of the system waking from an idle state. |
| Claim: |
5. The system of claim 3, wherein the event is an event to be processed by the device, and where a processor of the system remains in an idle state. |
| Claim: |
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the deep power down logic determines that the device is idle and initiates the transfer when a processor of the system enters into an idle state. |
| Claim: |
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the deep power down logic initiates the transfer of the device to the deep power down state when a processor of the system is in an active state. |
| Claim: |
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the static memory is coupled with a sustain power well to provide power to the static memory. |
| Claim: |
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the device is a graphics processing unit. |
| Claim: |
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the deep power down state is a C6 state. |
| Claim: |
11. A method for efficient energy consumption, comprising: monitoring a status of a device; determining an idle state corresponding to the device; and transferring, with a hardware-based deep power down logic, the device to a deep power down state when the device is determined to be idle, wherein the device consumes less power when in the deep power down state than in the idle state. |
| Claim: |
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: storing context data obtained from the device in the static memory when the device is transferred to the deep power down state. |
| Claim: |
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: waking the device in response monitoring an event; transferring the device to an active state; and loading the context data from the static memory into the device. |
| Claim: |
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the event is a processor of the system waking from an idle state. |
| Claim: |
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the event is an event to be processed by the device, and where a processor of the system remains in an idle state. |
| Claim: |
16. The method of claim 11, wherein the transfer of the device to the deep power down state is initiated when a processor of the system enters into an idle state. |
| Claim: |
17. The system of claim 11, when a processor of the system is in an active state. |
| Claim: |
18. The method of claim 11, wherein the device is a graphics processing unit. |
| Claim: |
19. An apparatus for efficient energy consumption, comprising: a static memory; and a power control unit coupled with a device and the static memory, the power control unit comprises a deep power down logic to monitor a status of the device, and to transfer the device to a deep power down state when the device is idle, wherein the device consumes less power when in the deep power down state than in the idle state. |
| Claim: |
20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the power control unit stores context data obtained from the device in the static memory when the device is transferred to the deep power down state. |
| Current U.S. Class: |
713/323 |
| Current International Class: |
06 |
| Accession Number: |
edspap.20120179927 |
| Database: |
USPTO Patent Applications |
