Fail-safe thermal sensor apparatus and method
First Claim
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1. An integrated circuit comprising:
- a fail safe sensor;
a programmable thermal sensor;
halt logic to halt operation of the integrated circuit in response to the fail safe sensor indicating that a pre-programmed fixed threshold temperature has been exceeded; and
clock adjustment logic to control temperature of the integrated circuit in response to the programmable thermal sensor indicating that a programmable threshold temperature has been exceeded by decreasing a clock frequency of the integrated circuit.
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Abstract
A fail-safe thermal sensor is implemented in an integrated circuit such as a microprocessor. The fail-safe thermal sensor monitors the temperature of the integrated circuit and halt logic halts operation of the integrated circuit in response to the fail-safe thermal sensor indicating that a threshold temperature has been exceeded. The threshold temperature may be a predetermined fixed critical temperature. The halt logic may inhibit operation of the integrated circuit by stopping a clock for the integrated circuit.
179 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An integrated circuit comprising:
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a fail safe sensor; a programmable thermal sensor; halt logic to halt operation of the integrated circuit in response to the fail safe sensor indicating that a pre-programmed fixed threshold temperature has been exceeded; and clock adjustment logic to control temperature of the integrated circuit in response to the programmable thermal sensor indicating that a programmable threshold temperature has been exceeded by decreasing a clock frequency of the integrated circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16)
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10. A method comprising:
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sensing a temperature of an integrated circuit using a first sensor provided on the integrated circuit; sensing the temperature of the integrated circuit using a second sensor provided on the integrated circuit; halting operation of the integrated circuit in response to sensing with the first sensor that a pre-programmed fixed threshold temperature has being exceeded; and controlling a clock frequency of the integrated circuit by decreasing the clock frequency in response to sensing with the second sensor that a programmable threshold temperature has been exceeded. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification