Communications of the ACM
Intel Experimental Processor Adapts to Environmental Challenges on the Fly
Intel has created a microprocessor that is capable of delivering its specified throughput without requiring any reserve cycles to account for dips in power, changes in temperature, and aging transistors. With its built-in error detection and correction capabilities, the microprocessor provides up to 41 percent more throughput using the same amount of energy as conventional cores.
"It would result in higher performance from a chip rated for a lower performance," says Keith Bowman, a researcher at Intel's Circuit Research Laboratories. By eliminating guardbands, the cycle buffers that overcompensate for fluctuations in performance over time, Intel offers more efficient processing. "We think it's a great tradeoff," Bowman says of the core, which includes adaptive circuits.
Researchers are currently developing a prototype for expanding the scale of the error detection and correction capabilities. Focusing on a way to incorporate the self-tuning feature into commercial products will come later.
From Network World
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