Power grid structure to optimize performance of a multiple core processor
US7667470B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 23, 2008 |
| Grant date | Feb 23, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 23, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02D10/00
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A reduced number of voltage regulator modules provides a reduced number of supply voltages to the package. The package includes a voltage plane for each of the voltage regulator modules. Each core or other component on the die is tied to a switch on the package, and each switch is electrically connected to all of the voltage planes. A wafer-level test determines a voltage that optimizes performance of each core or other component. Given these voltage values, an engineer may determine voltage settings for the voltage regulator modules and which cores are to be connected to which voltage regulator modules. A database stores voltage setting data, such as the optimal voltage for each component, switch values, or voltage settings for each voltage regulator module. An engineering wire may permanently set each switch to customize the voltage supply to each core or other component.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.