US6415388B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for power throttling in a microprocessor using a closed loop feedback system
Assignee: Intel Corp
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Filing: 1998-10-30
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Granted: 2002-07-02
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Expires: 2018-10-30
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for power throttling in a microprocessor. A voltage source supplies voltage to the microprocessor, and a clock source operates the microprocessor at a desired frequency. In one embodiment, a power monitor is configured to measure the short term power consumption of the microprocessor. In another embodiment, a temperature sensor measures the temperature of the microprocessor. Control logic is coupled to the voltage source and the clock source. The control logic receives an indication of the power consumption or temperature, as applicable, and compares it to a predetermined value. In response to the comparison, the control logic varies the supply voltage and the frequency.
Inventors
- 👤 Chris S. Browning
- 👤 Shekhar Y. Borkar
- 👤 Gregory E. Dermer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 14:31
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/26; G06F1/32; G06F1/3203; G06F1/3206; G06F1/3228; G06F1/16; G06F1/20; G06F1/206; G06F1/3234; G06F1/324; G06F1/3296; Y; Y02; Y02D; Y02D10/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A method comprising: applying a supply voltage and a clock to a microprocessor; monitoring power consumption of the microprocessor; determining whether the monitored power consumption is within a predetermined range of values; and varying the supply voltage and frequency of the clock in response to the determination, wherein the varying comprises reducing the supply voltage and the frequency of the clock in response to the monitored power consumption being above the predetermined range of values and increasing the supply voltage and the frequency of the clock in response to the monitored power consumption being below the predetermined range of values.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
100 words
A method comprising: applying a supply voltage and a clock to a microprocessor; monitoring power consumption of the microprocessor; determining whether the monitored power consumption is within a predetermined range of values; and varying the supply voltage and frequency of the clock in response to the determination, wherein the varying comprises reducing the supply voltage and the frequency of the clock in response to the monitored power consumption being above the predetermined range of values and increasing the supply voltage and the frequency of the clock in response to the monitored power consumption being below the predetermined range of values.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the monitoring comprises monitoring short term power consumption of the microprocessor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the monitoring comprises monitoring a voltage across a resistance.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining comprises determining whether the monitored power consumption is approaching or exceeds an upper limit; and wherein the varying comprises reducing the supply voltage and the frequency of the clock in response to the monitored power consumption approaching or exceeding the upper limit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining comprises determining whether the monitored power consumption is approaching or exceeds a lower limit; and wherein the varying comprises increasing the supply voltage and the frequency of the clock in response to the monitored power consumption approaching or exceeding the lower limit.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
102 words
An apparatus comprising: a voltage source to apply a supply voltage to a microprocessor; a clock source to apply a clock to the microprocessor; a power monitor to monitor power consumption of the microprocessor; and control logic to determine whether the monitored power consumption is within a predetermined range of values, to reduce the supply voltage and the frequency of the clock in response to the monitored power consumption being above the predetermined range of values, and to increase the supply voltage and the frequency of the clock in response to the monitored power consumption being below the predetermined range of values.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
102 words
An apparatus comprising: a voltage source to apply a supply voltage to a microprocessor; a clock source to apply a clock to the microprocessor; a power monitor to monitor power consumption of the microprocessor; and control logic to determine whether the monitored power consumption is within a predetermined range of values, to reduce the supply voltage and the frequency of the clock in response to the monitored power consumption being above the predetermined range of values, and to increase the supply voltage and the frequency of the clock in response to the monitored power consumption being below the predetermined range of values.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 6 , the power monitor to monitor short term power consumption of the microprocessor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 6 , the power monitor to monitor a voltage across a resistance between the voltage source and the microprocessor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 6 , the control logic to determine whether the monitored power consumption is approaching or exceeds an upper limit and to reduce the supply voltage and the frequency of the clock in response to the monitored power consumption approaching or exceeding the upper limit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 6 , the control logic to determine whether the monitored power consumption is approaching or exceeds a lower limit and to increase the supply voltage and the frequency of the clock in response to the monitored power consumption approaching or exceeding the lower limit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
9 words
The apparatus of claim 6 , comprising the microprocessor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the clock source, the power monitor, and the control logic are an integral part of the microprocessor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the clock source comprises a phase locked loop.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the voltage source comprises a switching voltage regulator.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
97 words
A method comprising: applying a supply voltage and a clock to a microprocessor; measuring a temperature of the microprocessor; determining whether the measured temperature is within a predetermined range of values; and varying the supply voltage and frequency of the clock in response to the determination, wherein the varying comprises reducing the supply voltage and the frequency of the clock in response to the measured temperature being above the predetermined range of values and increasing the supply voltage and the frequency of the clock in response to the measured temperature being below the predetermined range of values.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
97 words
A method comprising: applying a supply voltage and a clock to a microprocessor; measuring a temperature of the microprocessor; determining whether the measured temperature is within a predetermined range of values; and varying the supply voltage and frequency of the clock in response to the determination, wherein the varying comprises reducing the supply voltage and the frequency of the clock in response to the measured temperature being above the predetermined range of values and increasing the supply voltage and the frequency of the clock in response to the measured temperature being below the predetermined range of values.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the determining comprises determining whether the measured temperature is approaching or exceeds an upper limit; and wherein the varying comprises reducing the supply voltage and the frequency of the clock in response to the measured temperature approaching or exceeding the upper limit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the determining comprises determining whether the measured temperature is approaching or exceeds a lower limit; and wherein the varying comprises increasing the supply voltage and the frequency of the clock in response to the measured temperature approaching or exceeding the lower limit.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
99 words
An apparatus comprising: a voltage source to apply a supply voltage to a microprocessor; a clock source to apply a clock to the microprocessor; a temperature sensor to measure a temperature of the microprocessor; and control logic to determine whether the measured temperature is within a predetermined range of values, to reduce the supply voltage and the frequency of the clock in response to the measured temperature being above the predetermined range of values, and to increase the supply voltage and the frequency of the clock in response to the measured temperature being below the predetermined range of values.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
99 words
An apparatus comprising: a voltage source to apply a supply voltage to a microprocessor; a clock source to apply a clock to the microprocessor; a temperature sensor to measure a temperature of the microprocessor; and control logic to determine whether the measured temperature is within a predetermined range of values, to reduce the supply voltage and the frequency of the clock in response to the measured temperature being above the predetermined range of values, and to increase the supply voltage and the frequency of the clock in response to the measured temperature being below the predetermined range of values.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 18 , the control logic to determine whether the measured temperature is approaching or exceeds an upper limit and to reduce the supply voltage and the frequency of the clock in response to the measured temperature approaching or exceeding the upper limit.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 18 , the control logic to determine whether the measured temperature is approaching or exceeds a lower limit and to increase the supply voltage and the frequency of the clock in response to the measured temperature approaching or exceeding the lower limit.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
9 words
The apparatus of claim 18 , comprising the microprocessor.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the clock source, the temperature sensor, and the control logic are an integral part of the microprocessor.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the clock source comprises a phase locked loop.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the voltage source comprises a switching voltage regulator.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 18 , the temperature sensor to measure, a temperature of a die for the microprocessor.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 18 , the temperature sensor to measure a temperature of a package case for the microprocessor.
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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) | 2005-07-01 | 2005-12-31 | 2006-07-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-07-01 | 2009-12-31 | 2010-07-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-07-01 | 2013-12-31 | 2014-07-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |