Method and apparatus for power management of graphics processors and subsystems that allow the subsystems to respond to accesses when subsystems are idle
US6938176B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 5, 2001 |
| Grant date | Aug 30, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 16, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02D10/00
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A graphics processing device implementing a set of techniques for power management, preferably at both a subsystem level and a device level, and preferably including peak power management, a system including a graphics processing device that implements such a set of techniques for power management, and the power management methods performed by such a device or system. In preferred embodiments, the device includes at least two subsystems and hardware mechanisms that automatically seek the lowest power state for the device that does not impact performance of the device or of a system that includes the device. Preferably, the device includes a control unit operable in any selected one of multiple power management modes, and system software can intervene to cause the control unit to operate in any of these modes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.