Method and apparatus for programmable thermal sensor for an integrated circuit
First Claim
1. A microprocessor comprising:
- a register to store a register value corresponding to a threshold temperature;
a programmable thermal sensor to receive the register value, wherein the programmable thermal sensor is to generate a first interrupt signal in response to a microprocessor temperature exceeding the threshold temperature corresponding to the register value;
clock circuitry to provide a clock signal for the microprocessor;
a processor unit coupled to the clock circuitry, wherein the processor unit is to execute instructions to vary the frequency of the clock signal in response to the first interrupt signal; and
a fail-safe thermal sensor to generate a fail-safe interrupt signal in response to the microprocessor temperature exceeding a fail-safe threshold temperature, wherein the processor unit is halted in response to the fail-safe interrupt signal.
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Abstract
A programmable thermal sensor is implemented in an integrated circuit such as a microprocessor. The programmable thermal sensor monitors the temperature of the integrated circuit, and generates an output to indicate that the temperature of the integrated circuit has attained a preprogrammed threshold temperature. In a microprocessor implementation, the microprocessor contains a processor unit, an internal register, microprogram and clock circuitry. The microprogram writes programmable input values, corresponding to threshold temperatures, to the internal register. The programmable thermal sensor reads the programmable input values, and generates an interrupt when the temperature of the microprocessor reaches the threshold temperature. In addition to a programmable thermal sensor, the microprocessor contains a fail safe thermal sensor that halts operation of the microprocessor when the temperature attains a critical temperature.
188 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A microprocessor comprising:
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a register to store a register value corresponding to a threshold temperature; a programmable thermal sensor to receive the register value, wherein the programmable thermal sensor is to generate a first interrupt signal in response to a microprocessor temperature exceeding the threshold temperature corresponding to the register value; clock circuitry to provide a clock signal for the microprocessor; a processor unit coupled to the clock circuitry, wherein the processor unit is to execute instructions to vary the frequency of the clock signal in response to the first interrupt signal; and a fail-safe thermal sensor to generate a fail-safe interrupt signal in response to the microprocessor temperature exceeding a fail-safe threshold temperature, wherein the processor unit is halted in response to the fail-safe interrupt signal.
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2. A microprocessor comprising:
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a register to store a register value corresponding to a threshold temperature; a programmable thermal sensor to receive the register value, wherein the programmable thermal sensor is to generate a first interrupt signal in response to a microprocessor temperature exceeding the threshold temperature corresponding to the register value; clock circuitry to provide a clock signal for the microprocessor; and a processor unit coupled to the clock circuitry, wherein the processor unit is to execute instructions to vary the frequency of the clock signal in response to the first interrupt signal;
wherein the clock circuitry further comprises a phase locked loop.
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3. A microprocessor comprising:
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a register to store a register value corresponding to a threshold temperature; a programmable thermal sensor to receive the register value, wherein the programmable thermal sensor is to generate a first interrupt signal in response to a microprocessor temperature exceeding the threshold temperature corresponding to the register value; clock circuitry to provide a clock signal for the microprocessor; and a processor unit coupled to the clock circuitry, wherein the processor unit is to execute instructions to vary the frequency of the clock signal in response to the first interrupt signal; wherein the thermal sensor comprises a current source; a voltage reference coupled to the current source to provide a bandgap reference voltage, wherein the bandgap reference voltage is substantially constant over a range of temperatures; programmable circuitry to provide an output voltage varying with the microprocessor temperature in accordance with the register value; and a comparator, wherein the comparator is to generate the first interrupt signal in response to a difference between the output voltage and the bandgap reference voltage indicating that the threshold temperature has been exceeded. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5)
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6. A computer system comprising:
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an active cooling device; a microprocessor comprising; a register to store a register value corresponding to a threshold temperature; a programmable thermal sensor to receive the register value, wherein the programmable thermal sensor is to generate a first interrupt signal in response to a microprocessor temperature exceeding the threshold temperature, wherein the active cooling device is to be activated in response to the interrupt signal, and the microprocessor further comprises a processor unit coupled to the second clock circuit, wherein the processor unit is to execute instructions to vary the frequency of the clock signal from the second clock circuit in response to the first interrupt signal. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A microprocessor-implemented method of controlling the temperature of a microprocessor, comprising:
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a) generating a temperature signal within the microprocessor indicative of the temperature of the microprocessor; b) comparing the temperature signal with a first threshold temperature level within the microprocessor; c) generating an interrupt signal in response to the temperature signal indicating that the first threshold temperature level has been exceeded; d) decreasing a microprocessor clock frequency in response to the interrupt signal; e) comparing the temperature signal with a second threshold temperature level, wherein the second threshold temperature level represents a fail-safe temperature; and f) halting the microprocessor, in response to the temperature signal indicating that the second threshold temperature level has been exceeded.
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12. A microprocessor-implemented method of controlling the temperature of a microprocessor, comprising:
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a) generating a temperature signal within the microprocessor corresponding to the temperature of the microprocessor; b) comparing the temperature signal with a first threshold temperature level within the microprocessor; c) generating an interrupt signal in response to the temperature signal indicating that the first threshold temperature level has been exceeded; and d) activating an active cooling device to decrease the microprocessor temperature in response to the interrupt signal; wherein the active cooling device is a fan.
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13. A microprocessor-implemented method of controlling the temperature of a microprocessor, comprising:
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a) generating a temperature signal within the microprocessor corresponding to the temperature of the microprocessor; b) comparing the temperature signal with a first threshold temperature level within the microprocessor; c) generating an interrupt signal in response to the temperature signal indicating that the first threshold temperature level has been exceeded; d) activating an active cooling device to decrease the microprocessor temperature in response to the interrupt signal; e) comparing the temperature signal with a second threshold temperature level, wherein the second threshold temperature level represents a fail-safe temperature; and f) halting the microprocessor, in response to the temperature signal indicating that the second threshold temperature level has been exceeded.
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Specification