Dynamic Voltage Frequency Scaling
Dynamic Voltage Frequency Scaling (DVFS) is a power management technique used in computing systems to adjust the voltage and frequency of a processor dynamically based on workload demands. It reduces power consumption and heat generation by lowering voltage and frequency during low-performance periods, while scaling them up for high-performance tasks. This technique is widely implemented in modern CPUs, GPUs, and embedded systems to optimize energy efficiency.
Developers should learn DVFS when working on energy-efficient applications, embedded systems, mobile devices, or data centers where power consumption is critical. It is essential for optimizing battery life in smartphones and IoT devices, reducing operational costs in servers, and managing thermal constraints in high-performance computing. Understanding DVFS helps in writing code that leverages power-saving modes and in configuring systems for optimal performance-per-watt.