Patent · US Expired

Controller for monitoring temperature

US6937958B2 · kind B2 · utility

12Cited by
40References
28Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 19, 2002
Grant dateAug 30, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 28, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01L2924/0002
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A controller and method are provided for monitoring and controlling a temperature of an integrated circuit to inhibit damage from a thermal problem. The controller and method allow for individual temperature thresholds for each of one or more temperature sensors. Digital filtering of values received from temperature sensors is also provided. A variety of actions can be selected for execution upon a determination of an over-temperature condition of the integrated circuit, including assert an over-temperature pin, assert an over-temperature bit in an error register of said controller, assert an over-temperature bit in an error register of said microprocessor, issue an over-temperature interrupt to a service bus of said integrated circuit, cause a trap, slow an operating frequency of said integrated circuit, stop said integrated circuit, and do nothing.

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