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.

Claims

26 · 4 independent · depth 3

26 granted claims

›1.independentA method comprising: applying a supply voltage and a clock to a microprocessor; monitoring power consumption of the microprocessor; determining whethe…+4

›6.independentAn apparatus comprising: a voltage source to apply a supply voltage to a microprocessor; a clock source to apply a clock to the microprocessor; a powe…+8

›7.↳ 6The apparatus of claim 6, the power monitor to monitor short term power consumption of the microprocessor.d2

›8.↳ 6The apparatus of claim 6, the power monitor to monitor a voltage across a resistance between the voltage source and the microprocessor.d2

›9.↳ 6The apparatus of claim 6, the control logic to determine whether the monitored power consumption is approaching or exceeds an upper limit and to reduc…d2

›10.↳ 6The apparatus of claim 6, the control logic to determine whether the monitored power consumption is approaching or exceeds a lower limit and to increa…d2

›11.↳ 6The apparatus of claim 6, comprising the microprocessor.d2+1

›13.↳ 6The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the clock source comprises a phase locked loop.d2

›14.↳ 6The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the voltage source comprises a switching voltage regulator.d2

›15.independentA method comprising: applying a supply voltage and a clock to a microprocessor; measuring a temperature of the microprocessor; determining whether the…+2

›18.independentAn apparatus comprising: a voltage source to apply a supply voltage to a microprocessor; a clock source to apply a clock to the microprocessor; a temp…+8

›19.↳ 18The apparatus of claim 18, the control logic to determine whether the measured temperature is approaching or exceeds an upper limit and to reduce the …d2

›20.↳ 18The apparatus of claim 18, the control logic to determine whether the measured temperature is approaching or exceeds a lower limit and to increase the…d2

›21.↳ 18The apparatus of claim 18, comprising the microprocessor.d2+1

›23.↳ 18The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the clock source comprises a phase locked loop.d2

›24.↳ 18The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the voltage source comprises a switching voltage regulator.d2

›25.↳ 18The apparatus of claim 18, the temperature sensor to measure, a temperature of a die for the microprocessor.d2

›26.↳ 18The apparatus of claim 18, the temperature sensor to measure a temperature of a package case for the microprocessor.d2

Classifications

2 codes

USPC · US Patent Classification

713/322702/132

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Paul R. Myers

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