Frequency modification techniques that adjust an operating frequency to compensate for aging electronic components
First Claim
1. I method of frequency modification for one or more electronic components in an electronic system, the method comprising the steps of:
- determining, at a particular age of the electronic system, one or more performance parameters for the electronic system, the one or more performance parameters correlated with maximum operating frequency of one or more electronic components of the electronic system for the particular age of the electronic system; and
adjusting an operating frequency of the one or more electronic components from the electronic system in accordance with the one or more performance parameters.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A number of performance parameters for the electronic system are determined at a particular age of the electronic system. The performance parameters can be correlated to maximum operating frequency of electronic components of the electronic system for the particular age of the electronic system. Operating frequency of the electronic components is adjusted in accordance with the performance parameters. The performance parameters may be predetermined (such as through reliability and burn-in testing), determined during the life of the electronic system, or some combination of these. Performance parameters can comprise prior operating frequencies, hours of operation, ambient temperature, and supply voltage. Performance parameters can comprise performance statistics determined using age-monitoring circuits, where an aged circuit is compared with a circuit enabled only for comparison. Performance statistics may also be determined though error detection circuits. If an error is detected, the operating frequency can be reduced.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. I method of frequency modification for one or more electronic components in an electronic system, the method comprising the steps of:
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determining, at a particular age of the electronic system, one or more performance parameters for the electronic system, the one or more performance parameters correlated with maximum operating frequency of one or more electronic components of the electronic system for the particular age of the electronic system; and
adjusting an operating frequency of the one or more electronic components from the electronic system in accordance with the one or more performance parameters. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An electronic system able to perform frequency modification for electronic components, the electronic system comprising:
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one or more electronic components;
at least one clock generation circuit coupled to the one or more electronic components and adapted to;
determine, at a particular age of the electronic system, one or more performance parameters for the electronic system, the one or more performance parameters correlated with maximum operating frequency of one or more electronic components of the electronic system for the particular age of the electronic system; and
adjust an operating frequency of the one or more electronic components from the electronic system in accordance with the one or more performance parameters. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. An article of manufacture for performing frequency modification for electronic components, the article of manufacture comprising:
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a computer readable medium containing one or more programs which when executed implement the steps of;
determining, at a particular age of the electronic system, one or more performance parameters for the electronic system, the one or more performance parameters correlated with maximum operating frequency of one or more electronic components of the electronic system for the particular age of the electronic system; and
adjusting an operating frequency of the one or more electronic components from the electronic system in accordance with the one or more performance parameters.
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Specification