diff options
36 files changed, 1408 insertions, 534 deletions
diff --git a/Documentation/cpu-freq/core.txt b/Documentation/cpu-freq/core.txt index 4bc7287806de..978463a7c81e 100644 --- a/Documentation/cpu-freq/core.txt +++ b/Documentation/cpu-freq/core.txt @@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ Dominik Brodowski <linux@brodo.de> David Kimdon <dwhedon@debian.org> + Rafael J. Wysocki <rafael.j.wysocki@intel.com> + Viresh Kumar <viresh.kumar@linaro.org> @@ -36,10 +38,11 @@ speed limits (like LCD drivers on ARM architecture). Additionally, the kernel "constant" loops_per_jiffy is updated on frequency changes here. -Reference counting is done by cpufreq_get_cpu and cpufreq_put_cpu, -which make sure that the cpufreq processor driver is correctly -registered with the core, and will not be unloaded until -cpufreq_put_cpu is called. +Reference counting of the cpufreq policies is done by cpufreq_cpu_get +and cpufreq_cpu_put, which make sure that the cpufreq driver is +correctly registered with the core, and will not be unloaded until +cpufreq_put_cpu is called. That also ensures that the respective cpufreq +policy doesn't get freed while being used. 2. CPUFreq notifiers ==================== @@ -69,18 +72,16 @@ CPUFreq policy notifier is called twice for a policy transition: The phase is specified in the second argument to the notifier. The third argument, a void *pointer, points to a struct cpufreq_policy -consisting of five values: cpu, min, max, policy and max_cpu_freq. min -and max are the lower and upper frequencies (in kHz) of the new -policy, policy the new policy, cpu the number of the affected CPU; and -max_cpu_freq the maximum supported CPU frequency. This value is given -for informational purposes only. +consisting of several values, including min, max (the lower and upper +frequencies (in kHz) of the new policy). 2.2 CPUFreq transition notifiers -------------------------------- -These are notified twice when the CPUfreq driver switches the CPU core -frequency and this change has any external implications. +These are notified twice for each online CPU in the policy, when the +CPUfreq driver switches the CPU core frequency and this change has no +any external implications. The second argument specifies the phase - CPUFREQ_PRECHANGE or CPUFREQ_POSTCHANGE. @@ -90,6 +91,7 @@ values: cpu - number of the affected CPU old - old frequency new - new frequency +flags - flags of the cpufreq driver 3. CPUFreq Table Generation with Operating Performance Point (OPP) ================================================================== diff --git a/Documentation/cpu-freq/cpu-drivers.txt b/Documentation/cpu-freq/cpu-drivers.txt index 772b94fde264..f71e6be26b83 100644 --- a/Documentation/cpu-freq/cpu-drivers.txt +++ b/Documentation/cpu-freq/cpu-drivers.txt @@ -9,6 +9,8 @@ Dominik Brodowski <linux@brodo.de> + Rafael J. Wysocki <rafael.j.wysocki@intel.com> + Viresh Kumar <viresh.kumar@linaro.org> @@ -49,49 +51,65 @@ using cpufreq_register_driver() What shall this struct cpufreq_driver contain? -cpufreq_driver.name - The name of this driver. + .name - The name of this driver. -cpufreq_driver.init - A pointer to the per-CPU initialization - function. + .init - A pointer to the per-policy initialization function. -cpufreq_driver.verify - A pointer to a "verification" function. + .verify - A pointer to a "verification" function. -cpufreq_driver.setpolicy _or_ -cpufreq_driver.target/ -target_index - See below on the differences. + .setpolicy _or_ .fast_switch _or_ .target _or_ .target_index - See + below on the differences. And optionally -cpufreq_driver.exit - A pointer to a per-CPU cleanup - function called during CPU_POST_DEAD - phase of cpu hotplug process. + .flags - Hints for the cpufreq core. -cpufreq_driver.stop_cpu - A pointer to a per-CPU stop function - called during CPU_DOWN_PREPARE phase of - cpu hotplug process. + .driver_data - cpufreq driver specific data. -cpufreq_driver.resume - A pointer to a per-CPU resume function - which is called with interrupts disabled - and _before_ the pre-suspend frequency - and/or policy is restored by a call to - ->target/target_index or ->setpolicy. + .resolve_freq - Returns the most appropriate frequency for a target + frequency. Doesn't change the frequency though. -cpufreq_driver.attr - A pointer to a NULL-terminated list of - "struct freq_attr" which allow to - export values to sysfs. + .get_intermediate and target_intermediate - Used to switch to stable + frequency while changing CPU frequency. -cpufreq_driver.get_intermediate -and target_intermediate Used to switch to stable frequency while - changing CPU frequency. + .get - Returns current frequency of the CPU. + + .bios_limit - Returns HW/BIOS max frequency limitations for the CPU. + + .exit - A pointer to a per-policy cleanup function called during + CPU_POST_DEAD phase of cpu hotplug process. + + .stop_cpu - A pointer to a per-policy stop function called during + CPU_DOWN_PREPARE phase of cpu hotplug process. + + .suspend - A pointer to a per-policy suspend function which is called + with interrupts disabled and _after_ the governor is stopped for the + policy. + + .resume - A pointer to a per-policy resume function which is called + with interrupts disabled and _before_ the governor is started again. + + .ready - A pointer to a per-policy ready function which is called after + the policy is fully initialized. + + .attr - A pointer to a NULL-terminated list of "struct freq_attr" which + allow to export values to sysfs. + + .boost_enabled - If set, boost frequencies are enabled. + + .set_boost - A pointer to a per-policy function to enable/disable boost + frequencies. 1.2 Per-CPU Initialization -------------------------- Whenever a new CPU is registered with the device model, or after the -cpufreq driver registers itself, the per-CPU initialization function -cpufreq_driver.init is called. It takes a struct cpufreq_policy -*policy as argument. What to do now? +cpufreq driver registers itself, the per-policy initialization function +cpufreq_driver.init is called if no cpufreq policy existed for the CPU. +Note that the .init() and .exit() routines are called only once for the +policy and not for each CPU managed by the policy. It takes a struct +cpufreq_policy *policy as argument. What to do now? If necessary, activate the CPUfreq support on your CPU. @@ -117,47 +135,45 @@ policy->governor must contain the "default policy" for cpufreq_driver.setpolicy or cpufreq_driver.target/target_index is called with these values. +policy->cpus Update this with the masks of the + (online + offline) CPUs that do DVFS + along with this CPU (i.e. that share + clock/voltage rails with it). For setting some of these values (cpuinfo.min[max]_freq, policy->min[max]), the frequency table helpers might be helpful. See the section 2 for more information on them. -SMP systems normally have same clock source for a group of cpus. For these the -.init() would be called only once for the first online cpu. Here the .init() -routine must initialize policy->cpus with mask of all possible cpus (Online + -Offline) that share the clock. Then the core would copy this mask onto -policy->related_cpus and will reset policy->cpus to carry only online cpus. - 1.3 verify ------------- +---------- When the user decides a new policy (consisting of "policy,governor,min,max") shall be set, this policy must be validated so that incompatible values can be corrected. For verifying these -values, a frequency table helper and/or the -cpufreq_verify_within_limits(struct cpufreq_policy *policy, unsigned -int min_freq, unsigned int max_freq) function might be helpful. See -section 2 for details on frequency table helpers. +values cpufreq_verify_within_limits(struct cpufreq_policy *policy, +unsigned int min_freq, unsigned int max_freq) function might be helpful. +See section 2 for details on frequency table helpers. You need to make sure that at least one valid frequency (or operating range) is within policy->min and policy->max. If necessary, increase policy->max first, and only if this is no solution, decrease policy->min. -1.4 target/target_index or setpolicy? ----------------------------- +1.4 target or target_index or setpolicy or fast_switch? +------------------------------------------------------- Most cpufreq drivers or even most cpu frequency scaling algorithms -only allow the CPU to be set to one frequency. For these, you use the -->target/target_index call. +only allow the CPU frequency to be set to predefined fixed values. For +these, you use the ->target(), ->target_index() or ->fast_switch() +callbacks. -Some cpufreq-capable processors switch the frequency between certain -limits on their own. These shall use the ->setpolicy call +Some cpufreq capable processors switch the frequency between certain +limits on their own. These shall use the ->setpolicy() callback. 1.5. target/target_index -------------- +------------------------ The target_index call has two arguments: struct cpufreq_policy *policy, and unsigned int index (into the exposed frequency table). @@ -186,9 +202,20 @@ actual frequency must be determined using the following rules: Here again the frequency table helper might assist you - see section 2 for details. +1.6. fast_switch +---------------- -1.6 setpolicy ---------------- +This function is used for frequency switching from scheduler's context. +Not all drivers are expected to implement it, as sleeping from within +this callback isn't allowed. This callback must be highly optimized to +do switching as fast as possible. + +This function has two arguments: struct cpufreq_policy *policy and +unsigned int target_frequency. + + +1.7 setpolicy +------------- The setpolicy call only takes a struct cpufreq_policy *policy as argument. You need to set the lower limit of the in-processor or @@ -198,7 +225,7 @@ setting when policy->policy is CPUFREQ_POLICY_PERFORMANCE, and a powersaving-oriented setting when CPUFREQ_POLICY_POWERSAVE. Also check the reference implementation in drivers/cpufreq/longrun.c -1.7 get_intermediate and target_intermediate +1.8 get_intermediate and target_intermediate -------------------------------------------- Only for drivers with target_index() and CPUFREQ_ASYNC_NOTIFICATION unset. @@ -222,42 +249,36 @@ failures as core would send notifications for that. As most cpufreq processors only allow for being set to a few specific frequencies, a "frequency table" with some functions might assist in -some work of the processor driver. Such a "frequency table" consists -of an array of struct cpufreq_frequency_table entries, with any value in -"driver_data" you want to use, and the corresponding frequency in -"frequency". At the end of the table, you need to add a -cpufreq_frequency_table entry with frequency set to CPUFREQ_TABLE_END. And -if you want to skip one entry in the table, set the frequency to -CPUFREQ_ENTRY_INVALID. The entries don't need to be in ascending -order. - -By calling cpufreq_table_validate_and_show(struct cpufreq_policy *policy, - struct cpufreq_frequency_table *table); -the cpuinfo.min_freq and cpuinfo.max_freq values are detected, and -policy->min and policy->max are set to the same values. This is -helpful for the per-CPU initialization stage. - -int cpufreq_frequency_table_verify(struct cpufreq_policy *policy, - struct cpufreq_frequency_table *table); -assures that at least one valid frequency is within policy->min and -policy->max, and all other criteria are met. This is helpful for the -->verify call. - -int cpufreq_frequency_table_target(struct cpufreq_policy *policy, - unsigned int target_freq, - unsigned int relation); - -is the corresponding frequency table helper for the ->target -stage. Just pass the values to this function, and this function -returns the number of the frequency table entry which contains -the frequency the CPU shall be set to. +some work of the processor driver. Such a "frequency table" consists of +an array of struct cpufreq_frequency_table entries, with driver specific +values in "driver_data", the corresponding frequency in "frequency" and +flags set. At the end of the table, you need to add a +cpufreq_frequency_table entry with frequency set to CPUFREQ_TABLE_END. +And if you want to skip one entry in the table, set the frequency to +CPUFREQ_ENTRY_INVALID. The entries don't need to be in sorted in any +particular order, but if they are cpufreq core will do DVFS a bit +quickly for them as search for best match is faster. + +By calling cpufreq_table_validate_and_show(), the cpuinfo.min_freq and +cpuinfo.max_freq values are detected, and policy->min and policy->max +are set to the same values. This is helpful for the per-CPU +initialization stage. + +cpufreq_frequency_table_verify() assures that at least one valid +frequency is within policy->min and policy->max, and all other criteria +are met. This is helpful for the ->verify call. + +cpufreq_frequency_table_target() is the corresponding frequency table +helper for the ->target stage. Just pass the values to this function, +and this function returns the of the frequency table entry which +contains the frequency the CPU shall be set to. The following macros can be used as iterators over cpufreq_frequency_table: cpufreq_for_each_entry(pos, table) - iterates over all entries of frequency table. -cpufreq-for_each_valid_entry(pos, table) - iterates over all entries, +cpufreq_for_each_valid_entry(pos, table) - iterates over all entries, excluding CPUFREQ_ENTRY_INVALID frequencies. Use arguments "pos" - a cpufreq_frequency_table * as a loop cursor and "table" - the cpufreq_frequency_table * you want to iterate over. diff --git a/Documentation/cpu-freq/cpufreq-stats.txt b/Documentation/cpu-freq/cpufreq-stats.txt index 3c355f6ad834..2bbe207354ed 100644 --- a/Documentation/cpu-freq/cpufreq-stats.txt +++ b/Documentation/cpu-freq/cpufreq-stats.txt @@ -34,10 +34,10 @@ cpufreq stats provides following statistics (explained in detail below). - total_trans - trans_table -All the statistics will be from the time the stats driver has been inserted -to the time when a read of a particular statistic is done. Obviously, stats -driver will not have any information about the frequency transitions before -the stats driver insertion. +All the statistics will be from the time the stats driver has been inserted +(or the time the stats were reset) to the time when a read of a particular +statistic is done. Obviously, stats driver will not have any information +about the frequency transitions before the stats driver insertion. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- <mysystem>:/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/stats # ls -l @@ -110,25 +110,13 @@ Config Main Menu CPU Frequency scaling ---> [*] CPU Frequency scaling [*] CPU frequency translation statistics - [*] CPU frequency translation statistics details "CPU Frequency scaling" (CONFIG_CPU_FREQ) should be enabled to configure cpufreq-stats. "CPU frequency translation statistics" (CONFIG_CPU_FREQ_STAT) provides the -basic statistics which includes time_in_state and total_trans. +statistics which includes time_in_state, total_trans and trans_table. -"CPU frequency translation statistics details" (CONFIG_CPU_FREQ_STAT_DETAILS) -provides fine grained cpufreq stats by trans_table. The reason for having a -separate config option for trans_table is: -- trans_table goes against the traditional /sysfs rule of one value per - interface. It provides a whole bunch of value in a 2 dimensional matrix - form. - -Once these two options are enabled and your CPU supports cpufrequency, you +Once this option is enabled and your CPU supports cpufrequency, you will be able to see the CPU frequency statistics in /sysfs. - - - - diff --git a/Documentation/cpu-freq/governors.txt b/Documentation/cpu-freq/governors.txt index c15aa75f5227..61b3184b6c24 100644 --- a/Documentation/cpu-freq/governors.txt +++ b/Documentation/cpu-freq/governors.txt @@ -10,6 +10,8 @@ Dominik Brodowski <linux@brodo.de> some additions and corrections by Nico Golde <nico@ngolde.de> + Rafael J. Wysocki <rafael.j.wysocki@intel.com> + Viresh Kumar <viresh.kumar@linaro.org> @@ -28,32 +30,27 @@ Contents: 2.3 Userspace 2.4 Ondemand 2.5 Conservative +2.6 Schedutil 3. The Governor Interface in the CPUfreq Core +4. References 1. What Is A CPUFreq Governor? ============================== Most cpufreq drivers (except the intel_pstate and longrun) or even most -cpu frequency scaling algorithms only offer the CPU to be set to one -frequency. In order to offer dynamic frequency scaling, the cpufreq -core must be able to tell these drivers of a "target frequency". So -these specific drivers will be transformed to offer a "->target/target_index" -call instead of the existing "->setpolicy" call. For "longrun", all -stays the same, though. +cpu frequency scaling algorithms only allow the CPU frequency to be set +to predefined fixed values. In order to offer dynamic frequency +scaling, the cpufreq core must be able to tell these drivers of a +"target frequency". So these specific drivers will be transformed to +offer a "->target/target_index/fast_switch()" call instead of the +"->setpolicy()" call. For set_policy drivers, all stays the same, +though. How to decide what frequency within the CPUfreq policy should be used? -That's done using "cpufreq governors". Two are already in this patch --- they're the already existing "powersave" and "performance" which -set the frequency statically to the lowest or highest frequency, -respectively. At least two more such governors will be ready for -addition in the near future, but likely many more as there are various -different theories and models about dynamic frequency scaling -around. Using such a generic interface as cpufreq offers to scaling -governors, these can be tested extensively, and the best one can be -selected for each specific use. +That's done using "cpufreq governors". Basically, it's the following flow graph: @@ -71,7 +68,7 @@ CPU can be set to switch independently | CPU can only be set / the limits of policy->{min,max} / \ / \ - Using the ->setpolicy call, Using the ->target/target_index call, + Using the ->setpolicy call, Using the ->target/target_index/fast_switch call, the limits and the the frequency closest "policy" is set. to target_freq is set. It is assured that it @@ -109,114 +106,159 @@ directory. 2.4 Ondemand ------------ -The CPUfreq governor "ondemand" sets the CPU depending on the -current usage. To do this the CPU must have the capability to -switch the frequency very quickly. There are a number of sysfs file -accessible parameters: - -sampling_rate: measured in uS (10^-6 seconds), this is how often you -want the kernel to look at the CPU usage and to make decisions on -what to do about the frequency. Typically this is set to values of -around '10000' or more. It's default value is (cmp. with users-guide.txt): -transition_latency * 1000 -Be aware that transition latency is in ns and sampling_rate is in us, so you -get the same sysfs value by default. -Sampling rate should always get adjusted considering the transition latency -To set the sampling rate 750 times as high as the transition latency -in the bash (as said, 1000 is default), do: -echo `$(($(cat cpuinfo_transition_latency) * 750 / 1000)) \ - >ondemand/sampling_rate - -sampling_rate_min: -The sampling rate is limited by the HW transition latency: -transition_latency * 100 -Or by kernel restrictions: -If CONFIG_NO_HZ_COMMON is set, the limit is 10ms fixed. -If CONFIG_NO_HZ_COMMON is not set or nohz=off boot parameter is used, the -limits depend on the CONFIG_HZ option: -HZ=1000: min=20000us (20ms) -HZ=250: min=80000us (80ms) -HZ=100: min=200000us (200ms) -The highest value of kernel and HW latency restrictions is shown and -used as the minimum sampling rate. - -up_threshold: defines what the average CPU usage between the samplings -of 'sampling_rate' needs to be for the kernel to make a decision on -whether it should increase the frequency. For example when it is set -to its default value of '95' it means that between the checking -intervals the CPU needs to be on average more than 95% in use to then -decide that the CPU frequency needs to be increased. - -ignore_nice_load: this parameter takes a value of '0' or '1'. When -set to '0' (its default), all processes are counted towards the -'cpu utilisation' value. When set to '1', the processes that are -run with a 'nice' value will not count (and thus be ignored) in the -overall usage calculation. This is useful if you are running a CPU -intensive calculation on your laptop that you do not care how long it -takes to complete as you can 'nice' it and prevent it from taking part -in the deciding process of whether to increase your CPU frequency. - -sampling_down_factor: this parameter controls the rate at which the -kernel makes a decision on when to decrease the frequency while running -at top speed. When set to 1 (the default) decisions to reevaluate load -are made at the same interval regardless of current clock speed. But -when set to greater than 1 (e.g. 100) it acts as a multiplier for the -scheduling interval for reevaluating load when the CPU is at its top -speed due to high load. This improves performance by reducing the overhead -of load evaluation and helping the CPU stay at its top speed when truly -busy, rather than shifting back and forth in speed. This tunable has no -effect on behavior at lower speeds/lower CPU loads. - -powersave_bias: this parameter takes a value between 0 to 1000. It -defines the percentage (times 10) value of the target frequency that -will be shaved off of the target. For example, when set to 100 -- 10%, -when ondemand governor would have targeted 1000 MHz, it will target -1000 MHz - (10% of 1000 MHz) = 900 MHz instead. This is set to 0 -(disabled) by default. -When AMD frequency sensitivity powersave bias driver -- -drivers/cpufreq/amd_freq_sensitivity.c is loaded, this parameter -defines the workload frequency sensitivity threshold in which a lower -frequency is chosen instead of ondemand governor's original target. -The frequency sensitivity is a hardware reported (on AMD Family 16h -Processors and above) value between 0 to 100% that tells software how -the performance of the workload running on a CPU will change when -frequency changes. A workload with sensitivity of 0% (memory/IO-bound) -will not perform any better on higher core frequency, whereas a -workload with sensitivity of 100% (CPU-bound) will perform better -higher the frequency. When the driver is loaded, this is set to 400 -by default -- for CPUs running workloads with sensitivity value below -40%, a lower frequency is chosen. Unloading the driver or writing 0 -will disable this feature. +The CPUfreq governor "ondemand" sets the CPU frequency depending on the +current system load. Load estimation is triggered by the scheduler +through the update_util_data->func hook; when triggered, cpufreq checks +the CPU-usage statistics over the last period and the governor sets the +CPU accordingly. The CPU must have the capability to switch the +frequency very quickly. + +Sysfs files: + +* sampling_rate: + + Measured in uS (10^-6 seconds), this is how often you want the kernel + to look at the CPU usage and to make decisions on what to do about the + frequency. Typically this is set to values of around '10000' or more. + It's default value is (cmp. with users-guide.txt): transition_latency + * 1000. Be aware that transition latency is in ns and sampling_rate + is in us, so you get the same sysfs value by default. Sampling rate + should always get adjusted considering the transition latency to set + the sampling rate 750 times as high as the transition latency in the + bash (as said, 1000 is default), do: + + $ echo `$(($(cat cpuinfo_transition_latency) * 750 / 1000)) > ondemand/sampling_rate + +* sampling_rate_min: + + The sampling rate is limited by the HW transition latency: + transition_latency * 100 + + Or by kernel restrictions: + - If CONFIG_NO_HZ_COMMON is set, the limit is 10ms fixed. + - If CONFIG_NO_HZ_COMMON is not set or nohz=off boot parameter is + used, the limits depend on the CONFIG_HZ option: + HZ=1000: min=20000us (20ms) + HZ=250: min=80000us (80ms) + HZ=100: min=200000us (200ms) + + The highest value of kernel and HW latency restrictions is shown and + used as the minimum sampling rate. + +* up_threshold: + + This defines what the average CPU usage between the samplings of + 'sampling_rate' needs to be for the kernel to make a decision on + whether it should increase the frequency. For example when it is set + to its default value of '95' it means that between the checking + intervals the CPU needs to be on average more than 95% in use to then + decide that the CPU frequency needs to be increased. + +* ignore_nice_load: + + This parameter takes a value of '0' or '1'. When set to '0' (its + default), all processes are counted towards the 'cpu utilisation' + value. When set to '1', the processes that are run with a 'nice' + value will not count (and thus be ignored) in the overall usage + calculation. This is useful if you are running a CPU intensive + calculation on your laptop that you do not care how long it takes to + complete as you can 'nice' it and prevent it from taking part in the + deciding process of whether to increase your CPU frequency. + +* sampling_down_factor: + + This parameter controls the rate at which the kernel makes a decision + on when to decrease the frequency while running at top speed. When set + to 1 (the default) decisions to reevaluate load are made at the same + interval regardless of current clock speed. But when set to greater + than 1 (e.g. 100) it acts as a multiplier for the scheduling interval + for reevaluating load when the CPU is at its top speed due to high + load. This improves performance by reducing the overhead of load + evaluation and helping the CPU stay at its top speed when truly busy, + rather than shifting back and forth in speed. This tunable has no + effect on behavior at lower speeds/lower CPU loads. + +* powersave_bias: + + This parameter takes a value between 0 to 1000. It defines the + percentage (times 10) value of the target frequency that will be + shaved off of the target. For example, when set to 100 -- 10%, when + ondemand governor would have targeted 1000 MHz, it will target + 1000 MHz - (10% of 1000 MHz) = 900 MHz instead. This is set to 0 + (disabled) by default. + + When AMD frequency sensitivity powersave bias driver -- + drivers/cpufreq/amd_freq_sensitivity.c is loaded, this parameter + defines the workload frequency sensitivity threshold in which a lower + frequency is chosen instead of ondemand governor's original target. + The frequency sensitivity is a hardware reported (on AMD Family 16h + Processors and above) value between 0 to 100% that tells software how + the performance of the workload running on a CPU will change when + frequency changes. A workload with sensitivity of 0% (memory/IO-bound) + will not perform any better on higher core frequency, whereas a + workload with sensitivity of 100% (CPU-bound) will perform better + higher the frequency. When the driver is loaded, this is set to 400 by + default -- for CPUs running workloads with sensitivity value below + 40%, a lower frequency is chosen. Unloading the driver or writing 0 + will disable this feature. 2.5 Conservative ---------------- The CPUfreq governor "conservative", much like the "ondemand" -governor, sets the CPU depending on the current usage. It differs in -behaviour in that it gracefully increases and decreases the CPU speed -rather than jumping to max speed the moment there is any load on the -CPU. This behaviour more suitable in a battery powered environment. -The governor is tweaked in the same manner as the "ondemand" governor -through sysfs with the addition of: - -freq_step: this describes what percentage steps the cpu freq should be -increased and decreased smoothly by. By default the cpu frequency will -increase in 5% chunks of your maximum cpu frequency. You can change this -value to anywhere between 0 and 100 where '0' will effectively lock your -CPU at a speed regardless of its load whilst '100' will, in theory, make -it behave identically to the "ondemand" governor. - -down_threshold: same as the 'up_threshold' found for the "ondemand" -governor but for the opposite direction. For example when set to its -default value of '20' it means that if the CPU usage needs to be below -20% between samples to have the frequency decreased. - -sampling_down_factor: similar functionality as in "ondemand" governor. -But in "conservative", it controls the rate at which the kernel makes -a decision on when to decrease the frequency while running in any -speed. Load for frequency increase is still evaluated every -sampling rate. +governor, sets the CPU frequency depending on the current usage. It +differs in behaviour in that it gracefully increases and decreases the +CPU speed rather than jumping to max speed the moment there is any load +on the CPU. This behaviour is more suitable in a battery powered +environment. The governor is tweaked in the same manner as the +"ondemand" governor through sysfs with the addition of: + +* freq_step: + + This describes what percentage steps the cpu freq should be increased + and decreased smoothly by. By default the cpu frequency will increase + in 5% chunks of your maximum cpu frequency. You can change this value + to anywhere between 0 and 100 where '0' will effectively lock your CPU + at a speed regardless of its load whilst '100' will, in theory, make + it behave identically to the "ondemand" governor. + +* down_threshold: + + Same as the 'up_threshold' found for the "ondemand" governor but for + the opposite direction. For example when set to its default value of |