Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus to ensure proper voltage and frequency configuration signals are defined before applying power to processor

US6874083B2 · kind B2 · utility

25Cited by
12References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 22, 2000
Grant dateMar 29, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 9, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F1/24
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A dynamic processor configuration and power-up programs a processor's fuse block with configuration signals during processor manufacturing. The processor configuration signals include a core voltage identifier and a system bus frequency identifier. When power is applied to the platform, a control signal is used to prevent power-up of the platform's processor related circuitry. While the platform awaits full power-up, the fuse block is powered up. When the fuse block is powered up, the control signal is used to allow the configuration signals to be read from the fuse block. The processor is configured with core voltage and system bus frequency based on the values read from the fuse block. The platform then performs its boot-up sequence.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.