L2 cache retention mode
US9513693B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 25, 2014 |
| Grant date | Dec 6, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 3, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02D30/50
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Systems and methods for reducing leakage power in a L2 cache within a SoC. The L2 cache is partitioned into multiple banks, and each bank has its own separate power supply. An idle counter is maintained for each bank to count a number of cycles during which the bank has been inactive. The temperature and leaky factor of the SoC are used to select an operating point of the SoC. Based on the operating point, an idle counter threshold is set, with a high temperature and high leaky factor corresponding to a relatively low idle counter threshold, and with a low temperature and low leaky factor corresponding to a relatively high idle counter threshold. When a given idle counter exceeds the idle counter threshold, the voltage supplied to the corresponding bank is reduced to a voltage sufficient for retention of data but not for access.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.