Power Management in an Embedded Multiprocessor Cluster

Coherent microprocessor clusters have migrated into high-end embedded applications. Implemented within SoCs, designers must meet tight power supply and thermal budgets to fit operational requirements. A typical measure to achieve low-power footprints is performance scaling based on temporal application needs. Symmetrical multiprocessor clusters lend themselves particularly well to this technique. Recent advances in design methodology enable power gating and voltage/frequency scaling of SoC components. This paper illustrates power management techniques of embedded multiprocessor systems.