Abstract: Optimizing network driver performance and power consumption in multi-core processor-based systems is disclosed. In this regard, a multi-core processor-based system provides multiple processor cores comprising one or more power-optimized processor cores and one or more performance-optimized processor cores, and a network device configured to assign network streams to a plurality of interrupts. A network driver calculates a current throughput level of the network device, and determines whether a throughput mode of the network driver should be modified to a high-throughput mode. If so, the network driver assigns each interrupt to one of the performance-optimized processor cores, and disables system reassignment of interrupts among the processor cores.

Abstract: Methods and devices for scheduling processing tasks in a computing device configured with a group of low-power processor cores and at least one high-performance processor core may include identifying multiple application streams related to communication with a wireless local area network (WLAN), computing a total WLAN throughput requirement for the application streams, and determining whether the total WLAN throughput requirement is less than a first threshold value. The first threshold value may be based on power characteristics of the low-power processor cores. In response to determining that the total WLAN throughput requirement is less than the first threshold value, the computing device may schedule all processing tasks for the multiple application streams on one of the low-power processor cores.

Abstract: Methods and devices for scheduling processing tasks in a computing device configured with a group of low-power processor cores and at least one high-performance processor core may include identifying multiple application streams related to communication with a wireless local area network (WLAN), computing a total WLAN throughput requirement for the application streams, and determining whether the total WLAN throughput requirement is less than a first threshold value. The first threshold value may be based on power characteristics of the low-power processor cores. In response to determining that the total WLAN throughput requirement is less than the first threshold value, the computing device may schedule all processing tasks for the multiple application streams on one of the low-power processor cores.

Abstract: Optimizing network driver performance and power consumption in multi-core processor-based systems is disclosed. In this regard, a multi-core processor-based system provides multiple processor cores comprising one or more power-optimized processor cores and one or more performance-optimized processor cores, and a network device configured to assign network streams to a plurality of interrupts. A network driver calculates a current throughput level of the network device, and determines whether a throughput mode of the network driver should be modified to a high-throughput mode. If so, the network driver assigns each interrupt to one of the performance-optimized processor cores, and disables system reassignment of interrupts among the processor cores.

Abstract: A wireless communications power saving method and apparatus is provided. The method includes establishing a circular buffer configured to maintain a number of most recently encountered frame delay times and waiting a frame delay time after receiving a further frame before the station enters a power save state. Frame delay time is a period equal to a largest most recently encountered frame delay period in the circular buffer. The method further determines, at a station, a dormancy time based on a number of data frames received since the station transitioned from an inactive mode to an active mode, a packet transmission rate, and a data frame time interval representing time between data frames received at the station, and causes the station to switch to a further inactive mode if a next packet is not received within the dormancy time after receipt of a previous packet.

Abstract: A wireless communications power saving method and apparatus is provided. The method includes establishing a circular buffer configured to maintain a number of most recently encountered frame delay times and waiting a frame delay time after receiving a further frame before the station enters a power save state. Frame delay time is a period equal to a largest most recently encountered frame delay period in the circular buffer. The method further determines, at a station, a dormancy time based on a number of data frames received since the station transitioned from an inactive mode to an active mode, a packet transmission rate, and a data frame time interval representing time between data frames received at the station, and causes the station to switch to a further inactive mode if a next packet is not received within the dormancy time after receipt of a previous packet.