Power Management Method and Apparatus
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Abstract
Embodiments of the invention provide a power management subsystem which provides an interface which allows baseport subsystems such as device drivers and the like to register operational constraints on system resources such as power supplies, clocks, and the like, as well as to specify a maximum allowable wake-up time to ensure correct operation. Once registered, such operational constraints are then typically sorted to determine the strictest constraints, and the strictest constraints are then mapped to the characteristics of the various low-power modes offered by a particular device platform, to determine the most appropriate low power mode which can be entered whilst still allowing the registered constraints to be met. In this way, when required a device having the power management subsystem can still make use of low power modes when appropriate, without compromising the operation of base port sub systems such as device drivers, controllers, or the like. Additionally, the power management subsystem insulated the base port subsystems from the low power modes provided by the device, such that existing base port subsystem components can be used with the device, without requiring any bespoke tailoring thereto.
24 Citations
46 Claims
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1-26. -26. (canceled)
- 27. An apparatus comprising a plurality of system resources, said system resources being utilised by baseport sub-system components of the apparatus, the apparatus further providing a plurality of low-power modes in which the plurality of system resources are at least partially disabled, the apparatus further comprising a power management sub-system arranged to select and implement a low power mode in dependence on system resource operating constraints set by the baseport sub-system components which make use of said system resources.
- 38. A power management method for managing a plurality of system resources, said system resources being utilised by baseport sub-system components, the system resources being subject to a plurality of low-power modes in which the plurality of system resources are at least partially disabled, the method comprising selecting a low power mode in dependence on system resource operating constraints set by the baseport sub-system components which make use of said system resources, and implementing said selected low power mode.
Specification