SYSTEM POWER MANAGEMENT USING COMMUNICATION BUS PROTOCOLS
First Claim
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a clock generation circuit configured to generate a first clock signal and a second clock signal, wherein the first clock signal provides a timing reference to an interface unit of a device, and the second clock signal provides a timing reference to one or more logic blocks of the device;
a bus interface unit coupled to a communication bus, wherein the bus interface unit is configured to;
receive a message from a device, wherein the message includes a latency value, andreceive a request signal from the device, wherein the request signal indicates a request from the second device to activate a low power mode;
a control circuit configured to;
send an acknowledged signal to the device responsive to receiving the second message, wherein the acknowledged signal indicates that the low power mode of the device may be activated;
deactivate the first clock signal responsive to a determination that the latency value is greater than a first threshold value and less than a second threshold value; and
deactivate the first clock signal and the second clock signal responsive to a determination that the latency value is greater than the second threshold value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of an apparatus and method are disclosed that may allow for managing power of a computing system. The apparatus may include a clock generation circuit, a bus interface unit, and a control circuit. The clock generation circuit may be configured to generate multiple clock signals. Each clock signal may provide a timing reference to different functional blocks within a device coupled to the communication bus. The bus interface unit may be configured to receive messages from the device via the communication bus. The messages may include a latency value and a request to activate a low power mode. The control circuit may be configured to deactivate one or more of the multiple clock signals dependent upon the latency value and multiple threshold values.
24 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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a clock generation circuit configured to generate a first clock signal and a second clock signal, wherein the first clock signal provides a timing reference to an interface unit of a device, and the second clock signal provides a timing reference to one or more logic blocks of the device; a bus interface unit coupled to a communication bus, wherein the bus interface unit is configured to; receive a message from a device, wherein the message includes a latency value, and receive a request signal from the device, wherein the request signal indicates a request from the second device to activate a low power mode; a control circuit configured to; send an acknowledged signal to the device responsive to receiving the second message, wherein the acknowledged signal indicates that the low power mode of the device may be activated; deactivate the first clock signal responsive to a determination that the latency value is greater than a first threshold value and less than a second threshold value; and deactivate the first clock signal and the second clock signal responsive to a determination that the latency value is greater than the second threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for operating a computing system, comprising:
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sending a first message from a first component of the computing system to a second component of the computing system, wherein the first message includes a latency value; sending a request signal from the first component of the computing system to the second component of the computing system, wherein the request signal includes a request for the first component to activate a low power mode; activating a first low power mode for the first component responsive a determination that the latency value is greater than a first threshold value and less than a second threshold value; and activating a second low power mode for the first component responsive to a determination that the latency value is greater than the second threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system, comprising:
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a host configured to generate a first clock signal and a second clock signal; and a device coupled to the host via a communication bus, wherein the device is configured to; receive the first clock signal and the second clock signal; and wherein the first clock signal provides a timing reference to an interface unit of the device, and the second clock signal provides a timing reference to one or more logic blocks of the device, wherein the one or more logic blocks excludes the interface unit; send a first message to the host, wherein the first message includes a latency value; and send a request signal to the host, wherein the request signal includes a request for the device to activate a low power mode; wherein the host is further configured to; deactivate the first clock signal responsive to receiving the request signal and a determination that the latency value is greater than a first threshold value and less than a second threshold value; and deactivate the first clock signal and the second clock signal responsive to receiving the request signal and a determination that the latency value is greater than the second threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification