Methods and apparatus to selectively power functional units
US7428645B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 29, 2003 |
| Grant date | Sep 23, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 11, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02D10/00
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A processing engine fetches one or more lines of software instructions into an instruction cache. Based on the contents of the cache, potentially needed functional units are identified as functional units that are operable to execute at least one software instruction stored within the instruction cache. Unneeded functional units are identified as functional units that are not operable to execute a software instruction stored within the instruction cache. A power increase is initiated for selected ones of the potentially needed functional units that are determined to be in a low power state. A power decrease is initiated for selected ones of the unneeded functional units that are determined to be in an operable power state.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.