Re: [PATCH v2 0/3] Clarify abstract scale usage for power values in Energy Model, EAS and IPA

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On 10/14/20 6:10 PM, Daniel Lezcano wrote:
On 14/10/2020 17:24, Lukasz Luba wrote:

[ ... ]

We have to update the EM doc about allowed abstract scale, which
implies EAS, IPA doc update with some information to the community that
these components can handle it.

The script will just make developers life easier, but the current
documentation does not say anything about abstract scale.

... yes, because there is no consistency across the source of power
numbers and no tools to ensure DT power numbers consistency, yet.

In any case, if the DT is specifying real numbers, and SCMI abstract
numbers or the opposite, obviously there is a conflict if we are using
both.

True, DT only allows real numbers (I have Rob's opinion regarding
patch 3/3).

It's not that there is only SCMI which might use abstract scale. Qcom
already has it and other vendors will follow (not exposing real
numbers). They would register bogoWatts to EM because they know that EAS
can deal with both.

So vendors are using bogoWatts, despite the documentation.

By updating the documentation saying it supports the abstract values,
that means every new framework, device with power values, will have to
comply with that. How is it possible to add a device with power numbers
if the existing ones are obfuscated ?

Good question. I've been thinking about this Qcom platform. If
someone after a while would like to add new device to EM e.g DSP
of that SoC, then it has to measure the real power and decode the
existing numbers for the CPUs. Then encode the new device power
numbers in the same way and register to EM.


With two subsystems using the energy model, evolving independently we
can see there are conflicts. With more subsystems, that may become a
source of confusion, especially with different contributors.

I think the energy model should stick to milliwatts and keep the
documentation unchanged regarding this. And vendors should take the
responsibility of not sticking to the documentation.

I suggest to fix the conflict first and provide the features to make the
numbers more easy to share (like the script described above and/or the
firmware file).

Then with the right tools, everything can be documented.


We cannot block one way of registration to EM when the other was used.
They might have correct and consistent numbers.

What is the rational of using two firmware power information ?

I mean, there is two ways to register into EM:
1) em_dev_register_perf_domain() - can bring milliWatts or bogoWatts
2) dev_pm_opp_of_register_em() - should bring only milliWatts



It's up to the platform developers to choose the path:
- go with bogoWatts - if they are not allowed to expose sensitive
   information, use em_dev_register_perf_domain() in drivers, not DT;
   make sure everything that is needed works; check the doc, which
   sub-systems can handle it or needs some tuning (patches 1/3 and 2/3
   try to help here);
- use milliWatts - easier; DT is allowed; help from the community in
   reviews, possible results comparisons; both EM registration ways
   might be used;

We cannot force vendors/OEM engineers to store milliWatts in the
Energy Model if these values are protected by some NDA.

If I am able to measure one real power value, (and I'm pretty sure it is
quite possible), whatever which one, it is possible to deduce all the
numbers with the linear scale. IMO that is a false debate. Anyway ...

Your proposed
way of providing data into EM from user-space firmware.bin IMHO also
falls into the same bucket. That information would be accessible in EM
debugfs and they would avoid it.

I think you misunderstood my point.

There is the SCMI and the DT. Because there are two sources where it is
impossible to know if they are using the same units, we are stuck to
ensure a consistency for the kernel.

The platform should use:
  - the SCMI only (scaled or real)
  - the DT only (real)
  [ - the firmware file only (scaled or real) ]


Do you mean by SCMI - registration using em_dev_register_perf_domain() ?


As it is not possible to know if they are scaled or real, there is no
choice except making them mutually exclusive.

So you propose a bit more restriction in registration EM, to not get
lost in the future. I also have these doubts. Let's consider it and
maybe agree.

I've recommended Qcom to use em_dev_register_perf_domain() when they
have this obfuscated power values. Then any developer in the future
who wants to add EM for a new device on that platform, should use the
em_dev_register_perf_domain().

In this case the flag in EM that you have proposed makes sense.
We probably need an argument 'bool abstract_scale' in the
em_dev_register_perf_domain(..., bool abstract_scale)
as a source of information.

We would allow to co-exist em_dev_register_perf_domain(..., false)
with dev_pm_opp_of_register_em() EM devices.

Is it make sense?


 From my POV, it is not adequate to let SCMI power information co-exists
with the DT power information if we know they can be with different units.

I've just expressed my opinions:

  - vendors take responsibility of putting different units for the EM

  - Power numbers should come from the same source


Up to Rafael to decide what to do with this documentation update.

Thanks
   -- Daniel



Thank you for your valuable opinion.

Regards,
Lukasz



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