Method and apparatus for compiler assisted power management

A method, comprising:

• analyzing a sequence of electronic instructions to be completed by a functional unit in a computer and determining a first moment in the sequence when the functional unit will complete a first electronic instruction;
• determining a first time interval that will elapse from the first moment to a second moment when the functional unit will begin to perform a second electronic instruction;
• determining a second time interval that will elapse to completely power-down the functional unit and completely power up the functional unit;
• comparing the first and second time intervals to determine which is longer in duration;
• and
• creating a power-controlling instruction to control power to the functional unit depending on which time interval is longer in duration.

A system, comprising:

• an electronic device including at least one functional unit, the at least one functional unit to execute electronic instructions;
• a power-knowledgeable electronic instruction translator to
• (1) translate a computer program into a sequence of electronic instructions for execution by the at least one functional unit,
• (2) analyze timing of the sequence of electronic instructions, and
• (3) generate corresponding power-controlling instructions to manage power consumed by the at least one functional unit;
• and
• a power manager unit to execute the power-controlling instructions and accordingly control power to the at least one functional unit when the at least one functional unit executes the sequence of electronic instructions.