Patent US6140860A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6140860A
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Thermal sensing circuit
Assignee: Intel Corp
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Filing: 1998-09-08
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Granted: 2000-10-31
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Expires: 2018-09-08
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for use with a semiconductor substrate includes a digital interface, a digital-to-analog converter and a thermal sensor circuit. The digital interface stores a value that indicates a desired thermal threshold, and the digital-to-analog converter provides an analog signal that indicates the value. The thermal sensor circuit uses the analog signal to set the desired thermal threshold and indicate when a temperature of the substrate exceeds the thermal threshold.
Inventors
- 👤 Bal S. Sandhu
- 👤 Dennis Reinhardt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 00:57
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/26; G06F1/32; G06F1/3203; G06F1/3234; G06F1/324; G05; G05F; G05F3/00; G05F3/02; G05F3/08; G05F3/10; G05F3/16; G05F3/20; G05F3/24; G05F3/242; G05F3/245; G06F1/16; G06F1/20; H; H03; H03F; H03F3/00; H03F3/45; H03F3/45071; H03F3/45479; H03F3/72; H03K; H03K5/00; H03K5/22; H03K5/24; H03K5/2472; H03K5/2481; Y; Y02; Y02D; Y02D10/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
An apparatus for use with a semiconductor substrate, comprising: a digital interface to store a value indicative of a desired thermal threshold; a digital-to-analog converter to provide an analog signal indicative of the value; and a thermal sensor circuit to use the analog signal to set the desired thermal threshold and indicate when a temperature of the substrate exceeds the thermal threshold.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
62 words
An apparatus for use with a semiconductor substrate, comprising: a digital interface to store a value indicative of a desired thermal threshold; a digital-to-analog converter to provide an analog signal indicative of the value; and a thermal sensor circuit to use the analog signal to set the desired thermal threshold and indicate when a temperature of the substrate exceeds the thermal threshold.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the value indicates a change to a pre-existing thermal threshold.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the digital-to-analog converter comprises: current sources to be selectably enabled by the digital interface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the current sources are configured to implement a binary weighting scheme.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein at least one of the current sources comprises: a first transistor to provide a predetermined current when enabled.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said at least one current source further comprises: a second transistor coupled to selectively enable the first transistor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the digital interface comprises: a register to store the value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the thermal sensor circuit includes: a reference circuit to use the analog signal to provide a threshold signal indicative of the thermal threshold; a thermal sensing element to provide a thermal signal indicative of the temperature; and a comparator to compare the thermal signal with the threshold signal and indicate the result of the comparison.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the analog signal comprises a current and the reference circuit comprises a resistor to provide the threshold signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the threshold signal comprises a voltage of the resistor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein thermal sensing element comprises a diode.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for use with a semiconductor substrate, comprising: storing a value indicative of a desired thermal threshold; providing an analog signal indicative of the value; using the analog signal to provide a threshold signal indicative of the thermal threshold; providing a thermal signal indicative of a temperature of the substrate; comparing the thermal signal with the threshold signal; and indicating the result of the comparison.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for use with a semiconductor substrate, comprising: storing a value indicative of a desired thermal threshold; providing an analog signal indicative of the value; using the analog signal to provide a threshold signal indicative of the thermal threshold; providing a thermal signal indicative of a temperature of the substrate; comparing the thermal signal with the threshold signal; and indicating the result of the comparison.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 12, wherein the value indicates a change to a pre-existing thermal threshold.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 12, wherein the act of providing the analog signal comprises: selectably enabling current sources.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
95 words
A microprocessor comprising: a processing core to execute instructions in synchronization with a clock signal, the clock signal having a frequency; a clock generator to furnish the clock signal and change the frequency in response to an indication of a thermal event; a digital interface to store a value indicative of a desired thermal threshold; a digital-to-analog converter to provide an analog signal indicative of the value; and a thermal sensor circuit to use the analog signal to set the desired thermal threshold and indicate when a temperature of the substrate exceeds the thermal threshold.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
95 words
A microprocessor comprising: a processing core to execute instructions in synchronization with a clock signal, the clock signal having a frequency; a clock generator to furnish the clock signal and change the frequency in response to an indication of a thermal event; a digital interface to store a value indicative of a desired thermal threshold; a digital-to-analog converter to provide an analog signal indicative of the value; and a thermal sensor circuit to use the analog signal to set the desired thermal threshold and indicate when a temperature of the substrate exceeds the thermal threshold.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The microprocessor of claim 15, wherein the value indicates a change to a pre-existing thermal threshold.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The microprocessor of claim 15, wherein the digital-to-analog converter comprises: current sources to be selectably enabled by the digital interface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The microprocessor of claim 17, wherein the current sources are configured to implement a binary weighting scheme.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The microprocessor of claim 18, wherein at least one of the current sources comprises: a first transistor to provide a predetermined current when enabled.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
The microprocessor of claim 19, wherein said at least one current source further comprises: a second transistor coupled to selectably enable the first transistor.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
61 words
The microprocessor of claim 15, wherein the thermal sensor circuit includes: a reference circuit to use the analog signal to provide a threshold signal indicative of the thermal threshold; a thermal sensing element to provide a thermal signal indicative of the temperature; and a comparator to compare the thermal signal with the threshold signal and indicate the result of the comparison.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
The microprocessor of claim 15, wherein the processing core, the clock generator, the digital interface, the digital-to-analog converter and the thermal sensor circuit are fabricated on a single semiconductor substrate.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
71 words
An apparatus, comprising: a digital interface fabricated on a semiconductor substrate to store a value indicative of a desired thermal threshold; a digital-to-analog converter fabricated on the semiconductor substrate to provide an analog signal indicative of the value; and a thermal sensor circuit fabricated on the semiconductor substrate to use the analog signal to set the desired thermal threshold and indicate when a temperature of the substrate exceeds the thermal threshold.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
71 words
An apparatus, comprising: a digital interface fabricated on a semiconductor substrate to store a value indicative of a desired thermal threshold; a digital-to-analog converter fabricated on the semiconductor substrate to provide an analog signal indicative of the value; and a thermal sensor circuit fabricated on the semiconductor substrate to use the analog signal to set the desired thermal threshold and indicate when a temperature of the substrate exceeds the thermal threshold.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising: a microprocessor fabricated on the semiconductor substrate.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the value indicates a change to a pre-existing thermal threshold.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the digital-to-analog converter comprises: current sources to be selectably enabled by the digital interface.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the digital interface comprises: a register to store the value.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-10-31 | 2004-05-01 | 2004-10-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-10-31 | 2008-05-01 | 2008-10-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-10-31 | 2012-05-01 | 2012-10-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |