Abstract: In an embodiment, a functional unit control system includes an instruction decoder of a processor comprising a pipeline, the instruction decoder being configured to decode an instruction to be performed by the processor. The system further includes a power controller unit coupled to the instruction decoder, and a functional unit which may operate during execution stages of the processor's pipeline coupled to the power controller unit and the instruction decode stage. The power controller unit is configured to determine whether the functional unit should be used to perform at least part of the instruction based on data of the instruction decoder. The power controller unit is further configured to perform at least one of activating and deactivating the functional unit in accordance with the determination of whether the functional unit should be used.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a functional unit control method includes, using a performance monitoring unit connected to a processor, collecting performance data of a first type of functional unit in an execution stage of the processor for each process running on a time multiplexed computing system running a multitasking operating system. The method further includes determining a utilization level of the first type of functional unit based on the performance data, and comparing the utilization level of the first type of functional unit with a first threshold. The method also includes, when a first condition has been satisfied, power gating at least one of the first type of functional unit in the processor. The method may include dynamically loading a specific needs register for each time quantum that a process runs on the processor.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of controlling a functional unit of a target processor includes, using a static code profiler operating on a developer processor and while generating a machine executable instruction from software code, determining whether a functional unit type will be used to perform a process of the machine executable instruction. The method also includes updating a specific needs profile of the process of the machine executable instruction in accordance with the output of the static code profiler, wherein operation of the functional unit having the functional unit type is based on the configuration of the specific needs profile. The method further includes storing the specific needs profile in a configuration register. One or more processes and/or specific needs values or profiles may be loaded at each context switch of the operating system.

Abstract: Vampire energy loss occurs when an electronic or mechanical machine consumes energy while not being utilized for any useful purpose. Vampire energy losses in consumer electronic devices are under intense scrutiny for needlessly wasting an estimated 20% of the electric power production in the United States. It is also estimated by the US Department of Energy that by 2015 vampire electronics could be responsible for nearly 30 percent of the total household power consumption in the United States. Smarter vampire proof technologies are needed to address this growing problem.

Abstract: Vampire energy loss occurs when an electronic or mechanical machine consumes energy while not being utilized for any useful purpose. Vampire energy losses in consumer electronic devices are under intense scrutiny for needlessly wasting an estimated 20% of the electric power production in the United States. It is also estimated by the US Department of Energy that by 2015 vampire electronics could be responsible for nearly 30 percent of the total household power consumption in the United States. Smarter vampire proof technologies are needed to address this growing problem.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a functional unit control system includes an instruction decoder of a processor comprising a pipeline, the instruction decoder being configured to decode an instruction to be performed by the processor. The system further includes a power controller unit coupled to the instruction decoder, and a functional unit which may operate during execution stages of the processor's pipeline coupled to the power controller unit and the instruction decode stage. The power controller unit is configured to determine whether the functional unit should be used to perform at least part of the instruction based on data of the instruction decoder. The power controller unit is further configured to perform at least one of activating and deactivating the functional unit in accordance with the determination of whether the functional unit should be used.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a functional unit control method includes, using a performance monitoring unit connected to a processor, collecting performance data of a first type of functional unit in an execution stage of the processor for each process running on a time multiplexed computing system running a multitasking operating system. The method further includes determining a utilization level of the first type of functional unit based on the performance data, and comparing the utilization level of the first type of functional unit with a first threshold. The method also includes, when a first condition has been satisfied, power gating at least one of the first type of functional unit in the processor. The method may include dynamically loading a specific needs register for each time quantum that a process runs on the processor.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of controlling a functional unit of a target processor includes, using a static code profiler operating on a developer processor and while generating a machine executable instruction from software code, determining whether a functional unit type will be used to perform a process of the machine executable instruction. The method also includes updating a specific needs profile of the process of the machine executable instruction in accordance with the output of the static code profiler, wherein operation of the functional unit having the functional unit type is based on the configuration of the specific needs profile. The method further includes storing the specific needs profile in a configuration register. One or more processes and/or specific needs values or profiles may be loaded at each context switch of the operating system.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of controlling performance of a processor having a first execution unit and a second execution unit includes maintaining an operational state of the first execution unit of the processor at active, monitoring a utilization of the processor, and based on the utilization, determining whether to alter the operational state of the second execution unit of the processor. When the utilization of the processor is below a first threshold and the performance capability of the second execution unit is less than the performance capability of the first execution unit, the system may change the operational state of the second execution unit of the processor to active, and the operational state of the first execution unit to inactive. When the utilization of the processor is above a second threshold, the system may change the operational state of the second execution unit of the processor to active.

Abstract: Vampire energy loss occurs when an electronic or mechanical machine consumes energy while not being utilized for any useful purpose. Vampire energy losses in consumer electronic devices are under intense scrutiny for needlessly wasting an estimated 20% of the electric power production in the United States. It is also estimated by the US Department of Energy that by 2015 vampire electronics could be responsible for nearly 30 percent of the total household power consumption in the United States. Smarter vampire proof technologies are needed to address this growing problem.

Abstract: Vampire energy loss occurs when an electronic or mechanical machine consumes energy while not being utilized for any useful purpose. Vampire energy losses in consumer electronic devices are under intense scrutiny for needlessly wasting an estimated 20% of the electric power production in the United States. It is also estimated by the US Department of Energy that by 2015 vampire electronics could be responsible for nearly 30 percent of the total household power consumption in the United States. Smarter vampire proof technologies are needed to address this growing problem.

Abstract: A method of eliminating vampire energy loss in battery charges is provided. Vampire energy loss occurs when an electronic or mechanical machine consumes energy while not being utilized for the purpose of its existence, for example, energy loss in re-charging consumer electronic devices. By employing the use of an electromechanical switching method that creates a conductive short circuit to the charger after disconnecting the charged target device, the vampire or no load energy loss can be eliminated with or without disconnecting the charger.

Abstract: Vampire energy loss occurs when an electronic or mechanical machine or device consumes energy while not being utilized for the purpose of its existence. An electromechanical switching method is provided to eliminate vampire energy loss in battery chargers. The switching method includes a short circuit which is created and eliminated by disconnecting and plugging in a target device to the charger thus consequently applying force to a push button switch. There is no hardware support circuitry required from target devices.