Microprocessor with improved thermal monitoring and protection mechanism
US7814350B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 11, 2007 |
| Grant date | Oct 12, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 12, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02D10/00
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A microprocessor control circuit continuously monitors core logic operating temperature and detects it has risen above a first temperature and responsively iteratively controls a system voltage source to output a next lower one of its N output voltage levels and controls clock generation circuitry of the microprocessor to output a lower one of its M core clock signal frequencies as necessitated by a transition to the next lower output voltage level until the temperature drops below the first temperature. The control circuit detects that the temperature has dropped below a second temperature and responsively iteratively controls the voltage source to output a next higher output voltage level and controls the clock generation circuitry to output a higher core clock signal frequency as permitted by the next higher output voltage level until the operating temperature rises above the second temperature. The M frequencies comprise a highest, lowest, and plurality of intermediate frequencies.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.