Thermal Dynamics of Multicore Integrated Systems

This paper presents an analysis of thermal dynamics in multicore systems, focusing on time response to heat generated in a single core and its connection with very large scale integration (VLSI) design principles. For the purpose of this paper, a point heating time (PHT) concept is introduced. PHT is a value that describes the time of temperature growth to its limited value. The PHT value is used for estimating the thermal capabilities of multicore systems. The physical properties of VLSI systems are taken into account for determining easy-to-apply rules of thermal dynamic response in common chip designs. The authors compare PHT in different physical conditions and its value versus displacement of the active thermal module away from the center position on the chip. An equation derived from analytical assumptions is the basis for asynchronous control of core activity toward minimizing its peak temperature. Final analysis leads to the conclusion that the paper can be used as a supplementary guide in VLSI chip development for better thermally optimized multicore chips.