Migrating threads between asymmetric cores in a multiple core processor

A method comprising:

• identifying one or more threads scheduled for execution at a processor, the processor comprising a plurality of cores including a first core having first performance and power usage characteristics and a second core having second, different performance and power usage characteristics;
• initiating execution of the one or more threads by the first core;
• determining whether to apply a first migration policy from a plurality of different migration policies for migrating the one or more threads from the first core to the second core based on the first performance and power usage characteristics and the second, different performance and power usage characteristics, the determining comprising detecting that a first instruction set that the first core is capable of executing does not include at least one particular instruction and a second instruction set that the second core is capable of executing includes the at least one particular instruction;
• and
• in response to determining to apply the first migration policy, initiating migrating the one or more threads from the first core to the second core, wherein the migrating comprises generating an interrupt.

A non-transitory machine readable medium that stores code that when executed by a machine causes the machine to perform a method comprising:

• identifying one or more threads scheduled for execution at a processor, the processor comprising a plurality of cores including a first core having first performance and power usage characteristics and a second core having second, different performance and power usage characteristics;
• initiating execution of the one or more threads by the first core;
• determining whether to apply a first migration policy from a plurality of different migration policies for migrating the one or more threads from the first core to the second core based on the first performance and power usage characteristics and the second, different performance and power usage characteristics, the determining comprising detecting that a first instruction set that the first core is capable of executing does not include at least one particular instruction and a second instruction set that the second core is capable of executing includes the at least one particular instruction;
• and
• in response to determining to apply the first migration policy, initiating migrating the one or more threads from the first core to the second core, wherein the migrating comprises generating an interrupt.