Re: [RFT][PATCH v2 0/3] cpuidle: teo: Do not check timers unconditionally every time

["Rafael J. Wysocki" <rafael@kernel.org>]

Hi Doug,

On Thu, Aug 10, 2023 at 3:08 AM Doug Smythies <dsmythies@telus.net> wrote:
>
> Hi Rafael,
>
> Please bear with me. As you know I have many tests
> that search over a wide range of operating conditions
> looking for areas to focus on in more detail.
>
> On Tue, Aug 8, 2023 at 3:40 PM Doug Smythies <dsmythies@telus.net> wrote:
> > On Tue, Aug 8, 2023 at 9:43 AM Rafael J. Wysocki <rafael@kernel.org> wrote:
> > > On Tue, Aug 8, 2023 at 5:22 PM Doug Smythies <dsmythies@telus.net> wrote:
> > > > On 2023.08.03 14:33 Rafael wrote:
> > > > > On Thu, Aug 3, 2023 at 11:12 PM Rafael J. Wysocki <rjw@rjwysocki.net> wrote:
> > > > >>
> > > > >> Hi Folks,
> > > > >>
> > > > >> This is the second iteration of:
> > > > >>
> > > > >> https://lore.kernel.org/linux-pm/4511619.LvFx2qVVIh@kreacher/
> > > > >>
> > > > >> with an additional patch.
> > > > >>
> > > > >> There are some small modifications of patch [1/3] and the new
> > > > >> patch causes governor statistics to play a role in deciding whether
> > > > >> or not to stop the scheduler tick.
> > > > >>
> > > > >> Testing would be much appreciated!
> > > > >
> > > > > For convenience, this series is now available in the following git branch:
> > > > >
> > > > > git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/rafael/linux-pm.git \
> > > > > pm-cpuidle-teo
> > > >
> > > > Hi Rafael,
> > > >
> > > > Thank you for the git branch link.
> > > >
> > > > I did some testing:
> >
> >
> > ... deleted ...
> >
> > > > Test 2: 6 core ping pong sweep:
> > > >
> > > > Pass a token between 6 CPUs on 6 different cores.
> > > > Do a variable amount of work at each stop.
> > > >
> > > > Purpose: To utilize the midrange idle states
> > > > and observe the transitions from between use of
> > > > idle states.
> > > >
> > > > Results: There is some instability in the results
> > > > in the early stages.
> > > > For unknown reasons, the rjw governor sometimes works
> > > > slower and at lower power. The condition is not 100%
> > > > repeatable.
> > > >
> > > > Overall teo completed the test fastest (54.9 minutes)
> > > > Followed by menu (56.2 minutes), then rjw (56.7 minutes),
> > > > then ladder (58.4 minutes). teo is faster throughout the
> > > > latter stages of the test, but at the cost of more power.
> > > > The differences seem to be in the transition from idle
> > > > state 1 to idle state 2 usage.
> >
> > the magnitude of the later stages differences are significant.
> >
> > ... deleted ...
> >
> > > Thanks a lot for doing this work, much appreciated!
> > >
> > > > Conclusions: Overall, I am not seeing a compelling reason to
> > > > proceed with this patch set.
> > >
> > > On the other hand, if there is a separate compelling reason to do
> > > that, it doesn't appear to lead to a major regression.
> >
> > Agreed.
> >
> > Just for additional information, a 6 core dwell test was run.
> > The test conditions were cherry picked for dramatic effect:
> >
> > teo: average: 1162.13 uSec/loop ; Std dev: 0.38
> > ryw: average: 1266.45 uSec/loop ; Std dev: 6.53 ; +9%
> >
> > teo: average: 29.98 watts
> > rjw: average: 30.30 watts
> > (the same within thermal experimental error)
> >
> > Details (power and idle stats over the 45 minute test period):
> > http://smythies.com/~doug/linux/idle/teo-util2/6-13568-147097/perf/
>
> Okay, so while differences in the sometimes selection of a deeper
> idle state might be detrimental to latency sensitive workflow such as
> above, it is an overwhelming benefit to periodic workflows:
>
> Test 8: low load periodic workflow.
>
> There is an enormous range of work/sleep frequencies and loads
> to pick from. There was no cherry picking for this test.
>
> The only criteria is that the periodic fixed packet of work is
> completed before the start of the next period.
>
> Test 8 A: 1 load at about 3% and 347 Hz work/sleep frequency:
> teo average processor package power: 16.38 watts
> rjw average processor package power: 4.29 watts
> or 73.8% improvement!!!!!
>
> Test 8 B: 2 loads at about 3% and 347 Hz work/sleep frequency:
> teo average processor package power: 18.35 watts
> rjw average processor package power: 6.67 watts
> or 63.7% improvement!!!!!

This is very interesting, thank you!