As an avid Windows Mobile user i've always had one complaint that seems to be echoed by many other Windows Mobile users, the lack of system resources that often pop up when running multiple applications at the same time. That's why I was happy to discover the new Symmetric Multiprocessing power announced by Symbian for the new Symbian 9.5 operating system.
Think of SSMP as a fragmented microprocessor, the chipset essentially operates using multiple processors, as the device begins to use more applications simulataneously those applications are spread across different processors,thus assuring that a single processor doesn't become bogged down by overuse.
However the application doesn't stop there. Now lets say a single large application is using a large amount of system resources, rather than capping out a single processor and slowing down the application, that single application will spread its system resource use across multiple sectors, thus allowing each processor segment to work at a more efficient speed.
To examine this use more closely lets assume you receive a VoIP phone call, upon receiving that call one of the4 microprocessors in use for this example begins to process the call, first the single processor will see a spike in activity which will eventually level out to a common and level consumption level.
Now lets assume as you are on that VoIP call you are also downloading data.That download is being taken care of by a second processor. However, while in past processors that single chip would also process the data and store it with SSMP the download is handled by a single processor, while the formatting and storing of that data is again handled by another processor. Now we have a VoIP call handled by a single processor, the download handled by yetanother processor, and the storing of that data being handled once again by another processor.
Once complete in the case of the download that processor is then shut down and ready for new processing informationto be used in the future.
While simple data is easily fragmented such as is the case in the above scenario, there are instances in which largeamounts of data may for a short period consume much of your processors abilities.
For instance, when you plot a GPS point your GPS unit will for a short time consume almost all four cells of your processors (in a four cell example), however that power output is only used in the actual acquisition of a plot point, once that point is discovered the actual tracking of your GPS coordinates will require much less power consumption, meaning your 4 processors can be handled by one or two processors, in this sense Symmetric Multiprocessing can effectively determine the needed processing power for each section of a processing step via your software being used and act accordingly to properly relegate the power consumption needed per processing area.
Essentially SSMP determines the needed processing power at any given moment and works to assure proper consumption of resources without over extended your systems capabilities.
There are many advantages in regards to Symmetric Multiprocessing, by putting less power loads on processes its easyto see how power consumption could lower, leading to stronger battery life, while also helping to speed up your system even when multiple programs are running simultaneously.
We've been taking a look at the Symbian OS 9.5 for a while now, with this type of technology combined with Freewayabilities, its easy to see how the overall architecure of the Symbian OS continues to improve while offering effective and efficient processes.