Methods and apparatus to control processor performance to regulate heat generation
First Claim
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1. A method of operating a computer comprising:
- determining a power consumption of a processor;
comparing the determined power consumption to a theoretical power level that a thermal solution associated with the processor can dissipate; and
if the determined power consumption exceeds the theoretical power level, reducing the power consumption of the processor.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for controlling processor performance to regulate heat generation are disclosed. For example, a power monitor is provided for use in a computer having a processor. The example power monitor includes a current sense resistor associated with a power input of the processor and an amplifier in communication with the current sense resistor to develop a signal representative of power dissipated by the processor. The power monitor also includes a comparison circuit to compare the signal output by the amplifier with a predetermined threshold.
100 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of operating a computer comprising:
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determining a power consumption of a processor;
comparing the determined power consumption to a theoretical power level that a thermal solution associated with the processor can dissipate; and
if the determined power consumption exceeds the theoretical power level, reducing the power consumption of the processor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. For use in a computer having a processor, a power monitor comprising:
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a current sense resistor associated with a power input of the processor;
an amplifier coupled to the current sense resistor to develop a signal representative of power dissipated by the processor; and
a comparison circuit to compare the signal output by the amplifier with a theoretical power level that a thermal solution associated with the processor can dissipate. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of operating a computer comprising:
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detecting power drawn by a processor;
comparing the power to a theoretical power level that a thermal solution associated with the processor can dissipate; and
if the power exceeds the theoretical power level, reducing at least one of an operating frequency and operating voltage of the processor. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of increasing a maximum operating frequency of a processor comprising:
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monitoring power consumption by the processor; and
adjusting at least one of an operating frequency and an operating voltage of the processor based on a comparison between the power consumption of the processor and a theoretical thermal design power associated with the processor. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A portable computer comprising:
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a voltage regulator; and
a processor to control the power drawn by the processor from the voltage regulator based on a comparison of the power drawn by the processor and a thermal design power. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24. For use with a portable computer including a processor and a thermal solution, a computer program stored on a tangible medium comprising:
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first software to monitor power consumption of the processor; and
second software to decrease a performance level of the processor if the power consumption of the processor exceeds a power level that the thermal solution can handle. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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Specification