Abstract: A processing device is provided which includes a plurality of encoders each configured to compress a portion of data using a different compression algorithm. The processing device also includes one or more processors configured to cause an encoder, of the plurality of encoders, to compress the portion of data when it is determined that the portion of data, which is compressed by another encoder configured to compress the portion of data prior to the encoder in an encoder hierarchy, is not successfully compressed according to a compression metric by the other encoder in the encoder hierarchy. The one or more processors are also configured to prevent the encoder from compressing the portion of data when it is determined that the portion of data is successfully compressed according to the compression metric by the other encoder in the encoder hierarchy.

Abstract: A system and method for managing operating parameters within a system for optimal power and reliability are described. A device includes a functional unit and a corresponding reliability evaluator. The functional unit provides reliability information to one or more reliability monitors, which translate the information to reliability values. The reliability evaluator determines an overall reliability level for the system based on the reliability values. The reliability monitor compares the actual usage values and the expected usage values. When system has maintained a relatively high level of reliability for a given time interval, the reliability evaluator sends an indication to update operating parameters to reduce reliability of the system, which also reduces power consumption for the system.

Abstract: A technique for fine-granularity speed binning for a processing device is provided. The processing device includes a plurality of clock domains, each of which may be clocked with independent clock signals. The clock frequency at which a particular clock domain may operate is determined based on the longest propagation delay between clocked elements in that particular clock domain. The processing device includes measurement circuits for each clock domain that measure such propagation delay. The measurement circuits are replica propagation delay paths of actual circuit elements within each particular clock domain. A speed bin for each clock domain is determined based on the propagation delay measured for the measurement circuits for a particular clock domain. Specifically, a speed bin is chosen that is associated with the fastest clock speed whose clock period is longer than the slowest propagation delay measured for the measurement circuit for the clock domain.

Abstract: A system and method for managing operating parameters within a system for optimal power and reliability are described. A device includes a functional unit and a corresponding reliability evaluator. The functional unit provides reliability information to one or more reliability monitors, which translate the information to reliability values. The reliability evaluator determines an overall reliability level for the system based on the reliability values. The reliability monitor compares the actual usage values and the expected usage values. When system has maintained a relatively high level of reliability for a given time interval, the reliability evaluator sends an indication to update operating parameters to reduce reliability of the system, which also reduces power consumption for the system.

Abstract: An asynchronous pipeline includes a first stage and one or more second stages. A controller provides control signals to the first stage to indicate a modification to an operating speed of the first stage. The modification is determined based on a comparison of a completion status of the first stage to one or more completion statuses of the one or more second stages. In some cases, the controller provides control signals indicating modifications to an operating voltage applied to the first stage and a drive strength of a buffer in the first stage. Modules can be used to determine the completion statuses of the first stage and the one or more second stages based on the monitored output signals generated by the stages, output signals from replica critical paths associated with the stages, or a lookup table that indicates estimated completion times.