Dynamic processor performance and power management in a computer system
First Claim
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1. A computer system, comprising:
- clock generator circuit having a clock speed register and circuitry for generating a processor clock signal at a frequency determined by the clock speed register;
storage means for storing processor instructions;
processor coupled to the clock generator circuit to receive the processor clock signal such that the processor clock signal synchronizes the processor, the processor coupled to the storage means to fetch and execute a performance manager program that writes the clock speed register according to a performance state selected by an application program to be executed by the processor, the performance state having been selected from a performance state table maintained by the performance manager program.
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Abstract
A computer system is disclosed comprising a clock generator circuit having a clock speed register and circuitry for generating a processor clock signal at a frequency determined by the clock speed register, wherein the processor executes a performance manager program that writes the clock speed register according to a performance state selected by an application program. The application program selects the performance state to maximize performance during processor intensive functions and to maximize power conservation during interactive functions.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A computer system, comprising:
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clock generator circuit having a clock speed register and circuitry for generating a processor clock signal at a frequency determined by the clock speed register; storage means for storing processor instructions; processor coupled to the clock generator circuit to receive the processor clock signal such that the processor clock signal synchronizes the processor, the processor coupled to the storage means to fetch and execute a performance manager program that writes the clock speed register according to a performance state selected by an application program to be executed by the processor, the performance state having been selected from a performance state table maintained by the performance manager program. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for managing performance and power consumption of a computer system, comprising the steps of:
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generating a processor clock signal at a frequency determined by a clock speed register; synchronizing a processor of the computer system with the processor clock signal; writing the clock speed register with a value specified in a performance state table maintained by a performance manager program executed by the processor, the value corresponding to a performance state selected by an application program being executed by the processor. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification