Variable SMP – A Multi-Core CPU Architecture for Low Power and High Performance.pdf

Whitepaper Variable SMP – A Multi-Core CPU Architecture for Low Power and High Performance 1 Table of Contents 1 Introduction 3 Optimized for Key Mobile Use Cases 3 Silicon Process and its Impact on Power and Frequency 4 Variable Symmetric Multiprocessing 6 Low Power Companion Core 6 Operating System Transparent Implementation 8 Workload-Based Dynamic Enabling and Disabling of CPU Cores 9 Architectural Advantages of vSMP Architecture 10 Architectural Challenges and Solutions 10 Power Benefits of Variable Symmetric Multiprocessing 11 Power Benefits of Quad Core compared to Dual Core 12 Conclusion 14 Document Revision History 15 2 Introduction In February 2011, NVIDIA introduced and demonstrated its Project Kal-El mobile processor, the world’s first quad core mobile processor. Project Kal-El will enable new mobile applications, new experiences, more robust multitasking, higher-quality gaming, and faster web browsing. In addition, Project Kal-El will further extend battery life by operating its CPU cores at lower frequency, yet still be able to complete more work than dual core or single core processors. Other industry leaders have agreed that quad core is the correct direction, and announced their own mobile quad core processor lines. While including more CPU cores will improve performance and lower power in many use cases, additional technologies can take this even further. NVIDIA’s Project Kal-El processor implements a novel new Variable Symmetric Multiprocessing (vSMP) technology. Not previously disclosed publicly, vSMP includes a fifth CPU core (the “Companion” core) built using a special low power silicon process that executes tasks at low frequency for active standby mode, music playback, and even video playback. The four main “quad” core