Fuzzy Multiprocessor Architecture Reconfiguration
based on Dynamic Frequency Scaling
Najar Yousra
University of Tunis el Manar,
High Institute of computing (ISI), Tunis
1002, Tunisia;
Yousra_najar@yahoo.co.in,yousra.najar@isi.utm.tn
Abstract— Multicore systems are rapidly immerging as a new
paradigm for integrating both high performance systems and
embedded applications. A large field of research focuses now on
reconfigurable multicore architecture in order to find optimal
solutions for improved performances such as energy
consumption. A Perfect system would be able to create a balance
between optimum resources allocation and a particular
workload. The dynamic frequency scaling has been a key
technique in exploiting the hardware configurable characteristics
of processors. However, for large class of applications in
embedded real time systems, the variable operating frequency
interferes with their deadline guarantee. In this paper, a novel
fuzzy logic technique is presented to optimize real time system
feasibility and energy consumption in multicore architecture
based on operating frequency scaling. Tested on different
periodic task sets generated with different system charges the
proposed technique is an intelligent decision aid system that
studies schedulability and energy consumption aware.
Keywords— multi-core architecture; fuzzy logic; operating
frequency; feasibility;energy consumption
I. INTRODUCTION
In recent year, there has been a rapid and wide spread of
non traditional computing platforms, especially mobile and
portable computing device. Embedded systems typically have
to fulfill timing constraints that are related to their application
domain and usage scenarios. Constraints are usually specified
as the deadline to perform specific functions. Therefore,
embedded designers must be able to evaluate which design
alternatives can fulfill those constraints and guarantee real
time behavior.
Simulation based techniques can be used to evaluate
whether a particular MPSOC platform architecture is able to
meet the timing constraints of an application. To guarantee the
best hardware adaptation, this paper proposes a fuzzy logic
reconfiguration technique to search a balance between power
consumption and real time system schedulability.
A fuzzy inference system (FIS) is a system that uses fuzzy
set theory to map inputs into outputs. FIS uses a collection of
fuzzy membership functions and rules, instead of Boolean
logic, to reason about data. The functional operations in fuzzy
expert system proceed in the following steps: Fuzzification,
Ben Ahmed Samir
University of Tunis el Manar,
Faculty of Science, Mathematics, Physics and Natural of
Tunis (FST), Tunis, 2092, Tunisia;
Samir.Benahmed@fst.utm.tn
Fuzzy Inferencing (apply implication method), Aggregation of
all outputs and Defuzzification.
The use of fuzzy logic to optimize the configuration of
hardware architecture was adopted because it offers some
advantages. First, detailed complex modeling of the system is
not needed and human logic knowledge is captured. Second, it
offers easily adaptative and light weight design support
system.
This paper describes the contribution of the approach in
three main parts: The first paragraph is a state of art about
dynamic frequency scaling in multiprocessing architecture and
about fuzzy logic in embedded systems. The second part is
dedicated to the proposed fuzzy technique architecture
presentation. Finally, simulation and results are detailed.
II. RELATED WORK
In real time embedded systems like portable medical
devices and cellular phones, where tasks must be completed
by some specified deadlines, most reconfiguration algorithms
and techniques do not consider real time constraints and are
based on solely average computational throughput [4].
A. Fuzzy Logic and Embedde Systems
An objective of fuzzy logic has been to make computers
think like people, fuzzy logic can deal with vagueness intrinsic
to human thinking and natural language [3]. Using fuzzy logic
algorithms could enable machines to understand and respond
to vague human concepts without having an exhaustive
mathematical model. Almost every application, including
embedded control applications, could reap some benefits from
fuzzy logic. Its incorporation in embedded systems could lead
to enhanced performance, increased simplicity and
productivity.
The use of heuristic based methodologies to design space
optimization for MPSoC involves the knowledge of processor
characteristics in order to converge toward a final solution.
Qadri in [1][2] presented a fuzzy based reconfiguration for
MPSoc that takes into consideration energy consumption and
throughout of the real time system. This work argues the
advantages of integration fuzzy inference system that
calculates the number of cores and the operating frequency. In
close loop architecture (fig ) the DSE is reconfigured until the
system is stabilized.
B. Dynamic Frequency Scaling (DFS) in Multiprocessor
Architecture
Significant research and developpement efforts have been
made to study voltage and frequency scaling in MPSOC
architecture. Many DFS algorithms are used to raise
architecture performances. Typically, they use a simple
feedback mechanism, such as detecting the amount of idle
time on processors over a period of time and then adjust the
frequency and voltage to just optimize computational load.
The main idea of these studies is about avoiding wasting
cycles by reducing the operating frequency which optimizes
energy consumption. However, they cannot provide any
timeliness guarantees and real time tasks may miss their
deadlines. In fact, these algorithms are tightly-coupled with
operating system’s task management services, since the
dynamic selection of DFS must be coupled to task
computation time [4]. The main challenge is to guarantee that
the deadlines will not be violated when frequency is reduced
to decrease energy consumption.
The techniques outlined in this work assume the classic
model of real time system in which a set of periodic tasks that
are characterized with release time ri, period Ti, deadline Di
and WCET (worst case computation time) Ci. As in classical
treatments of the real-time scheduling problem [4], the relative
deadline is assumed to be equal to period i.e a task must
complete its execution before the next release of the task.
Given that the worst case computation time is supposed to
be the time needed by the task to complete its charge in
maximum operating frequency, a real time scheduler allocates
processor time to the task in such way that it respects its
deadline. In this section, we try to establish a relationship
between operating frequency and system shedulability. A
system is schedulable when all its tasks respect their deadline
under designed architecture and specific real time scheduler.
Many schedulability tests where associated with several
schedulers. Being identified as optimal scheduling algorithm
for this kind of real system, EDF is priority based scheduler.
For a set of n periodic tasks, when we assume that the
platform is composed of m identical unit-capacity processors
and that Usys is system utilization, system feasibility is
assured if this sufficient and necessary condition (1) is
satisfied [9]:
Usys = C1/T1+ C2/T2 + C3/T3 + …… Cn/Tn ≤ m (1)
Worst case computing time is number of cycle needed by
the task under maximum operating frequency to achieve its
execution. A frequency scaling factor α is defined (2) :
freq=[f1, f2, …..fmax] , α=fi/fmax with fi in freq (2)
Assuming a specified frequency scaling factor α (0<α≤1)
simple static DFS condition given by (1) becomes:
Usys = C1/T1+ C2/T2 + C3/T3 + …… Cn/Tn ≤ m×α (3)
While applying these settings, observe that scaling the
operating frequency by a factor effectively results in the worst
case computation time needed by a task being scaled by a
factor 1/α while the desired period and deadline remains
unaffected. Many research papers treated this static frequency
scaling in order to create a balance between feasibility test and
architecture performance
III. RECONFIGURABELE FUZZY SYSTEM
The proposed algorithm is closed–loop architecture that
tries to find a feasible solution of real time periodic model.
Being enable to have a mathematical model that reflects all the
information given bellow, fuzzy logic could be the solution
that will control the design of DSE using linguistic terms.
A. System Model
1) Real time application model
In this paper, we assume a periodic task model. In this
model, each task Γi=(ri1, Ci, Ti, Di) is characterized
respectively by its first release time ri1, its computation time
Ci, its period Ti and its deadline Di. Further, we focus our
attention on implicit deadline task system (Ci<Ti=Di ). A task
Γi invokes a series of jobs, each separated from its predecessor
by Ti time units. We also assume that a single job of a task
cannot be executed in parallel. We let n denote the total
number of tasks in the system and Γn is a set of the n periodic
independent tasks. The kth activation date of job Γik is defined
as rik= ri1 + (k-1).Ti. This instance (job) of the task Γi must
respect its relative deadline dik=rik + Di .
2) Configurable multiprocessor architecture
The proposed MPSoC is comprised of 16-core symmetric
chip multiprocessor platform based on the Intel x86
architecture, employing a shared memory architecture. The
platform incorporates L1 and L2 caches. The number of active
cores and the processor frequency/voltage can be adjusted
both for energy consumption optimization. Table 1. details
MPSoC processors characteristics.
TABLE I. SYSTEM PARAMETERS
Intel x 86
Parameter Value
Number of cores [1..16]
Processing frequency [16 20 25 33]Mhz
Operating voltage [2.0 2.2 2.4 2.7]V
Dynamic Energy Consumption [13.1 15.4 18.7 22.9] nJ
The energy consumption and voltage/frequency
information was obtained from Intel 486 GX embedded
processor datasheet [7]. This particular architecture was
chosen because our study is situated in homogenous and
symmetric multicore architecture which will reduce the
number of rules in fuzzy system.
The processor energy consumption per cycle is denoted Ed
when we suppose that static energy is negligible. We suppose
that our model doesn’t need memory access or pipeline.
Energy consumption of the whole system will be calculated in
multiplying Ed by the number of cores.
Esys = (Ed1 + Ed2+……..+ Edm ) (4)
B. Fuzzy Architecture Reconfiguration
The main idea of the proposed architecture is to take
advantage of fuzzy logic to avoid the establishment of a model
describing the exact relations between input and output
parameters. As shown in fig. 1, it’s a classic feedback control
system which is governed by the real time schedulability test.
The system is stabilized when the system charge is around
one.
Fig. 1. Closed Loop Reconfiguration system
The fuzzy system involves: input and output variables
identification, associating variables with appropriate
membership functions, formulating rule base and
defuzzification.
1) Input and Output Varibles identification and
fuzzification
The number of parameters were identified that can be
modified dynamically in a reconfigurable MPSoC where they
are considered as control variables of the close loop
architecture. Input variables are: Un=Usys/m×α which is
normalized system utilization that would reflect schedulability
test and Esys which is normalized energy consumption. The
fuzzy system output is the operating frequency. All cores will
run through the same frequency. The number of cores is
calculated in the feedback module.
Four linguistic variables were associated with the input
and output variables. Which could be explained by the fact
that the system have four scaling operating frequency.
Trapezoidal membership functions were associated with each
linguistic variable, as detailed in table II, III and IV.
TABLE II. UN MEMBERSHIP FUNCTIONS
Fuzzy membership functions
TERM verylow := (-1, 0) (0, 1) (0.3, 1) (0.635, 0);
TERM low := (0.284, 0) (0.62, 1) (0.84, 1) (0.986, 0);
TERM good := (0.9, 0) (0.954, 1) (1.02, 1) (1.04, 0);
TERM high := (0.098, 0) (1.23, 1) (30, 1) (32, 0);
TABLE III. ED MEMEBERSHIP FUNCTIONS
Fuzzy membership functions
TERM Verylow := (0.554, 0) (0.57, 1) (0.588, 0);
TERM Low := (0.66, 0) (0.67, 1) (0.69, 1);
TERM Medium := (0.78, 0) (0.81, 1) (0.84, 0);
TERM High := (0.97, 0) (1, 1) (2, 0);
TABLE IV. FI MEMBERSHIP FUNCTIONS
Fuzzy membership functions
TERM VL := (15, 0) (16, 1) (17, 0);
TERM L := (19, 0) (20, 1) (21, 1);
TERM M := (24, 0) (25, 1) (26, 0);
TERM H := (32, 0) (33, 1) (34, 0);
2) Rule base and Deffuzzification
To establish relationship between the input variables and
output parameters, fuzzy logic rules were defined. There are
standard criteria for the definition of the rule base. Some logic
facts led us to the rule base detailed in table 5 which are:
When the system utilization Un is inferior to one then we
could decrease the operating frequency trying to minimize
energy consumption and the number of idles. Working with
lower frequencies must respect schedulabiliy test. When Un is
superior to one the operating frequency is increased until it
reaches one. If the system charge doesn’t allow it the feed-
back module will augment the number of cores until
stabilization.
TABLE V. RULE BASE
Fuzzy rule base
R1: IF U IS verylow AND Ep IS Verylow THEN freq IS VL;
R2: IF U IS verylow AND Ep IS Low THEN freq IS VL;
R3: IF U IS verylow AND Ep IS High THEN freq IS M;
R4: IF U IS low AND Ep IS Low THEN freq IS VL;
R5: IF U IS low AND Ep IS Medium THEN freq IS L;
R6: IF U IS low AND Ep IS High THEN freq IS M;
R7: IF U IS good AND Ep IS Verylow THEN freq IS L;
R8: IF U IS good AND Ep IS Low THEN freq IS M;
R9: IF U IS good AND Ep IS Medium THEN freq IS H;
R10: IF U IS good AND Ep IS High THEN freq IS H;
R11: IF U IS high AND Ep IS Verylow THEN freq IS M;
R12: IF U IS high AND Ep IS Low THEN freq IS H;
R13: IF U IS high AND Ep IS Medium THEN freq IS H;
R14: IF U IS high AND Ep IS High THEN freq IS H;
The output of the inference system is crisp value after
defuzzification. Many defuzzification method are used such as
centroid, mean and thresholds. In this work, Centroid (Center
of gravity) method was adopted.
 Simulation system
Periodic Task Random generation
Number of tasks Usys
Set method
Set 4 100 4.77 Rand fix sum

Fig. 2. 2-D representation of the frequency variations within fuzzy system

The fact that the membership functions were centered on

scaling values of normalized energy consumption and
operating frequencies explains the fig. 2 variations. In fact,
there are four stages for the operating frequency: When the
system charge load is not important the operating frequency is
at the minimum scaling value otherwise it rises from stage to
another depending on energy consumption state.

3) Implementation in python
The fuzzy logic engine was implemented using python 3.4
conforming to TCE 61131-7 standard [7]. The free Fuzzy
logic module (Fuzzython) is an open source class library
which is optimized for faster response. System total energy
was calculated as the sum of each processor core energy
supposing that the application tasks don’t need cache. The
(a)
whole application class diagram is illustrated with fig. 3.

(b)
Fig. 4. Number of iterations result
Fig. 3. Class Diagram of the application developped in python
The main emphasis of the proposed fuzzy reconfiguration
technique is to assure balance between energy consumption
IV. SIMULATIONS AND RESULTS and system schedulability. However, mainly it represents
In order to perform the proposed architecture evaluation, a Decision Support System (DSS) for real time applications
task generator was used to generate a set of periodic tasks with periodic tasks feasability studies. The rule base was
within fixed total system load charge (random values with written while given schedulability test priority over energy
fixed sum). Task periods are generated with log-uniform consumption.
distribution between 1 and 1000. In order to fulfill our aims, the proposed algorithm starts
the iteration 0 with initial parameters i.e number of cores
TABLE VI. SIMULATION SETS (m=1), operating frequency (fi=fmax=33MHz), normalized
energy consumption (1) and total system utlization Usys
Simulation system calculated from the task model.
Periodic Task Random generation
Number of tasks Usys
Set method It begins modifying the configurable parametrs and it
Set 1 10 1.33 Rand fix sum completes the system configuration in two cases: the system
Rand fix sum utilisation is equal to one or it stays unvariant. The number of
Set 2 30 25.6 iterations needed to stabilise the system depends on real time
Set 3 60 14.066 Rand fix sum application number of tasks and on system utilisation value. In
fig 4. (a) (b), we could notice that the final configuration on
the most important set (Set 4 with 100 tasks) needed 17
iterations which prooved that it stabilises quickly. Both the
system utilisation and the number of tasks affects
proportionnaly the number of iterations.
(a)
(b)
Fig. 5. Energy Consumption results
The impact of these iterations configuration on individual
parametres is discussed as bellow:
 Energy Consumption : It is abvious that fuzzy
algorithm gives importance to system feasibility rather
than optimizing energy consumption. Whith every
value of m the fuzzy inference looks for the most
appropriate operating frequency which influences
directly the energy consumption. Fig 5. Gives an
abvious conclusion about the correlation of the mean
energy consumption with the number of used cores in
one hand and with the importance of system utilization.
 Number of Cores : Initiated at 1, the number of
required cores is directly affected with system
utilization. When the operating frequency calculated by
the fuzzy system is unvariant and the application stills
non schedulable the algorithm rises the number of
cores. It could be noticed that when set of periodic
tasks has important utilisation factor (Set 3 and Set 2)
all cores are used with maximum operating frequency
scaling. The system is then stabilized with (m=16 and
fi=33 MHz). Our system is therefore not feasible under
this architecture (see fig. 6).
Fig. 6. Number of cores variation with total system load
The decision support system is mainly responsible of
system feasibility guarantee then it takes care of energy
consumption. Let’s take the case of Set 2 (n=30 and
Usys=25.6): After 17 iterations, the system utilization with 16
cores and operating frequency equal to 33 MHz becomes 1.60.
Fig. 7. Set 2 Results : n= 30 and Usys= 25.6
To maintain this result simulation scheduling within
Global EDF, Global LLF, EDZL and Pfair algorithms on Set 2
were done conserving the Worst case computing time as the
charge needed by each task.
In another hand, when considering task periodic Set
number 1 with n=10 and Un=1.33, the fuzzy reconfiguration
system is stabilized after 5 iterations:
TABLE VII. RECONFIGURATION OF SET 1 (USYS=1.33)
Reconfiguration Results for Set 1
iteration
Un m Ep fi (MHz)
(Normalised)
1
0 1.33 1 33
 Reconfiguration Results for Set 1 [9] Baker TP, Cirinei M, ‘A necessary and sometimes sufficient condition
for the feasibility of sets of sporadic hard-deadline tasks’, In:
iteration Proceedings of IEEE real-time systems symposium (RTSS), pp 178–
Un m Ep fi (MHz)
(Normalised) 190, 2006.
1 1.33 2 1 FIS = 33

2 0.683 2 0.81 FIS = 25

3 0.888 2 0.67 FIS = 20

4 1.01 2 0.81 FIS = 25

5 0.88 2 0.81 FIS =25

In this case the RT-application is schedulable with two

processor m=2 and energy consumption is optimized when all
processors are executed with fi=25MHz. The scheduling of the
Set 1 tasks must be done with computing Time multiplied by
1/α=0.75 .

V. CONCLUSION
In this paper a novel reconfiguration fuzzy based algorithm
for multicore architecture is presented. The proposed
technique was used to find an overall balance between the
feasibility of RT periodic application and energy consumption
of the multicore architecture. A higher priority was attributed
to system feasibility while writing the algorithm. It was
developed using python and Fuzzython module. The
simulation was executed in a multiprocessor run time
developed that we develop on python.
The results discussed bellow showed the capability and
usefulness of the detailed methodology especially when the
system utilization doesn’t exceed 27. Therefore, it can be
concluded that the proposed reconfigurable fuzzy logic can
produce an overall good performance where there is no need
for exhaustive mathematical model. However, it will be
interesting to study the effect of cache size and associativity
on shedulability test.

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