Combining Genetic Algorithms Based Task Mapping and Optimal Voltage Selection for Energy-Efficient Distributed System Synthesis

Abstract

Energy consumption has become one of dominant design concerns in distributed embedded systems. Dynamic voltage scaling (DVS) techniques have been proved to be quite effective in reducing both dynamic and static power consumption simultaneously. Thus, integrating processing elements (PEs) supporting DVS techniques into distributed embedded systems synthesis becomes an imperative way to make an energy-efficient design budget. In this paper, we propose a synthesis framework, which integrates task mapping, scheduling and voltage selection together to minimize energy consumption of distributed systems. Genetic algorithms based task mapping are deployed to do task mapping in the outer loop, which can maximize the energy saving possibilities. A nonlinear programming based optimal voltage selection engine is then used in the inner loop. Unlike previous approaches, this combination is the first time to be implemented, and relevant experiment results show that, comparing to separate synthesis flows, up to 40% more energy savings are achieved.

Thermal vs Energy Optimization for DVFS-Enabled Processors in Embedded Systems

“…We have developed a system-level synthesis infrastructure [21] and use it to generate assignments and schedules. In this section we will focus on the voltage selection problem.…”

“…A system-level synthesis framework [21] was developed for task mapping and scheduling of embedded systems. In this work, the maximum operating voltage and frequency are used.…”