Power optimization of real-time embedded systems on variable speed processors

TLDR

Power‑efficient design of real‑time embedded systems on programmable processors is increasingly critical as functionality shifts to software. The paper proposes a power‑optimization method for real‑time embedded applications on a variable‑speed processor. The method combines offline and online components: offline determines the minimal maximum processor speed that satisfies all deadlines, while online dynamically adjusts processor speed or powers down the processor based on task set status to exploit execution time variations and idle intervals. Experiments demonstrate significant power savings across various applications.

Abstract

Power efficient design of real-time embedded systems based on programmable processors becomes more important as system functionality is increasingly realized through software. This paper presents a power optimization method for real-time embedded applications on a variable speed processor. The method combines off-line and on-line components. The off-line component determines the lowest possible maximum processor speed while guaranteeing deadlines of all tasks. The on-line component dynamically varies the processor speed or brings a processor into a power-down mode according to the status of task set in order to exploit execution time variations and idle intervals. Experimental results show that the proposed method obtains a significant power reduction across several kinds of applications.