Apparatus and Method for Entering Low Power Mode Based on Process, Voltage, and Temperature Considerations

• US 20130047012A1
• Filed: 11/23/2011
• Published: 02/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: JUNG, Hwisung
• Granted Patent: US 9,160,348 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/320
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/32 Means for saving power
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3228 Monitoring task completion, e.g. by use of idle timers, stop commands or wait commands
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/14 Protection against unauthorised use of memory or access to memory
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/44 Program or device authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/0002 Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 19/01 Modifications for accelerating switching
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2005/00019 Variable delay
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2005/00026 controlled by an analog electrical signal, e.g. obtained after conversion by a D/A converter
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2005/00058 controlled by a digital setting
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 3/0315 Ring oscillators
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 3/037 Bistable circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 3/0375 provided with means for increasing reliability; for protection; for ensuring a predetermined initial state when the supply voltage has been applied; for storing the actual state when the supply voltage fails digital storage cells each combining volatile and non-volatile storage properties G11C14/00
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 5/133 using a chain of active delay devices
• CPC Class Codes: H03L 7/0802 the loop being adapted for reducing power consumption H03L7/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03L 7/097 using a comparator for comparing the voltages obtained from two frequency to voltage converters
• CPC Class Codes: H03L 7/0997 Controlling the number of delay elements connected in series in the ring oscillator

Abstract

A processor arrangement changes its default time interval for entering a power saving mode based sensed operating conditions and predetermined time intervals to be used under various operating conditions to optimize power saving.

Claims

1. A processor arrangement comprising:

a processor configured to enter a power saving mode based on an initialized default time interval;

a sensor configured to sense an operating parameter associated with the processor; and

a power manager configured to update the default time interval based on the sensed operating parameter.

2. The processor arrangement of claim 1, further comprising:

a monitor configured to identify a process corner associated with the processor, wherein

the power manager initializes the default time interval based on the identified process corner.

3. The processor arrangement of claim 1, wherein the operating parameter includes a supply voltage, a temperature, or the supply voltage and the temperature, associated with the processor.

4. The processor arrangement of claim 1, wherein the sensor senses the operating parameter when an application runs on the processor.

5. The processor arrangement of claim 1, wherein the sensor senses the operating parameter periodically.

6. The processor arrangement of claim 1, further comprising:

a memory configured to store a look-up table including respective time intervals associated with the sensed operating parameter, the look-up table corresponding to a process corner associated with the processor.

7. The processor arrangement of claim 6, wherein each respective time interval stored in the look-up table is associated with a supply voltage and a temperature corresponding to the processor.

8. The processor arrangement of claim 1, wherein the power manager compares the sensed parameter to a previously sensed parameter, and updates the default time interval based on a result of the comparison.

9. The processor arrangement of claim 8, wherein the power manager updates the default time interval by selecting a respective time interval associated with the sensed parameter from a look-up table.

10. A method comprising:

controlling entry of a processor into a power saving mode based on an initialized default time interval;

sensing an operating parameter associated with the processor; and

updating the default time interval based on the sensed operating parameter.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

identifying a process corner associated with the processor; and

initializing the default time interval based on the identified process corner.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the operating parameter includes a supply voltage, a temperature, or the supply voltage and the temperature, associated with the processor.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the sensing includes sensing the operating parameter when an application runs on the processor.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the sensing includes sensing the operating parameter periodically.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the updating comprises reading an updated default time interval from a look-up table including respective time intervals associated with the sensed parameter, the look-up table corresponding to a process corner associated with the processor.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein each respective time interval stored in the look-up table is associated with a supply voltage and a temperature corresponding to the processor.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the updating comprises:

comparing the sensed parameter to a previously sensed parameter, and updating the default time interval based on a result of the comparing.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the updating further comprises:

selecting a respective time interval associated with the sensed parameter from a look-up table.