Data processing performance control based on a status signal indicating the maximum voltage that can be supported
First Claim
1. Apparatus for processing data, said apparatus comprising:
- a processor operable to perform data processing operations, said processor being operable to generate a performance control signal indicative of a desired data processing performance level of said processor; and
one or more further circuits responsive to said performance control signal to operate so as to support said desired data processing performance level of said processor;
whereinat least while responding to a change in said performance control signal, said one or more further circuits are operable to generate a current operation signal indicative of current operation of said one or more further circuits, wherein said one or more further circuits include a voltage controller operable to generate a power signal for said processor at a plurality of different voltage levels, said current operation signal being indicative of a maximum power supply voltage that can currently be supported by said voltage controller.
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Abstract
A data processing system includes a processor 46 operable to generate control signals to control one or more further circuits 4, 6 to adopt operational states to support different performance levels of the processor. The one or more further circuits generate current operation signals indicative of their current operation. Examples of further circuits are a clock generator 4 which generates a current operation signal indicative of a currently generated clock signal or possibly currently available clock signals. A voltage controller 6 may be a further circuit which serves to provide a power signal to the system and which generates a current operation signal indicative of the current maximum voltage level which the voltage controller is able to supply.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. Apparatus for processing data, said apparatus comprising:
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a processor operable to perform data processing operations, said processor being operable to generate a performance control signal indicative of a desired data processing performance level of said processor; and one or more further circuits responsive to said performance control signal to operate so as to support said desired data processing performance level of said processor;
whereinat least while responding to a change in said performance control signal, said one or more further circuits are operable to generate a current operation signal indicative of current operation of said one or more further circuits, wherein said one or more further circuits include a voltage controller operable to generate a power signal for said processor at a plurality of different voltage levels, said current operation signal being indicative of a maximum power supply voltage that can currently be supported by said voltage controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of processing data, said method comprising the steps of:
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performing data processing operations with a processor, said processor being operable to generate a performance control signal indicative of a desired data processing performance level of said processor; and in response to said performance control signal, operating one or more further circuits so as to support said desired data processing performance level of said processor;
whereinat least while responding to a change in said performance control signal, said one or more further circuits are operable to generate a current operation signal indicative of current operation of said one or more further circuit, wherein said one or more further circuit include a voltage controller operable to generate a power signal for said processor at a plurality of different voltage levels, said current operation signal being indicative of a maximum power supply voltage that can currently be supported by said voltage controller. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification