Patent · US Expired

Adaptive temperature dependent feedback clock control system and method

US7467318B2 · kind B2 · utility

21Cited by
11References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 29, 2003
Grant dateDec 16, 2008
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 22, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F1/206
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An adaptive temperature dependent clock feedback control system and method for adaptively varying a frequency of a clock signal to a circuit such that the circuit may operate at a maximum safe operating clock frequency based on a circuit junction temperature. The clock control system includes a thermal sensor and a temperature dependent dynamic overclock generator circuit. The thermal sensor detects a junction temperature corresponding to at least a portion of the circuit on a semiconductor die. The temperature dependent dynamic overclock generator circuit varies the clock signal based on the semiconductor die junction temperature, such that the clock signal operates at the highest possible operating frequency associated with the detected junction temperature. The frequency of the clock signal is increased from a first frequency to at least a second frequency and a third frequency if the junction temperature is below a lower junction temperature threshold.

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