Method and apparatus for regulation of power dissipation
US5798667A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 16, 1994 |
| Grant date | Aug 25, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 16, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02D10/00
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The clock rate for a device is controlled through the use of integrated circuits which respond to the temperature of the device. Circuitry is added to the integrated circuit device being controlled which changes the clock rate of the device as the device temperature changes. The device clock is thus regulating by the temperature of the device. The way in which the regulation is implemented can be varied, from slowing an internally generated clock rate, or by digitally scaling an external clock input. Synchronous scaling is also provided, such that devices which are connected external to the CPU can still be clocked at the same external rate, but CPU transactions within the CPU may occur at a different rate depending on the CPU's measured temperature. This invention also provides the ability to selectively reduce or stop certain areas of an integrated circuit relative to pending operations or instructions being executed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.