Method and apparatus for lowering the die temperature of a microprocessor and maintaining the temperature below the die burn out
First Claim
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1. A system comprising:
- a central processing unit (CPU);
power management logic within the CPU to enable the CPU to execute a first quantity of instructions per cycle whenever the temperature of the CPU exceeds a predetermined threshold and to execute a second quantity of instructions per cycle whenever the temperature of the CPU is below the predetermined threshold;
an artificial activity generator within the power management logic to generate artificial activity within the CPU whenever the temperature of the CPU is below the predetermined threshold to minimize current spikes within the CPU, the artificial activity being simulated instructions for the CPU; and
programmable array logic (PAL) coupled to the CPU to operate as an interrupt handler to control the CPU upon receiving an interrupt from the power management logic indicating that temperature of the CPU is at least one of above or below the predetermined threshold.
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Abstract
According to one embodiment, a method is disclosed. The method includes determining whether the temperature of a central processing unit (CPU) exceeds a predetermined threshold. In addition, the method includes generating a first interrupt if the temperature of the CPU exceeds the predetermined threshold and transitioning from a first execution mode to a second execution mode.
96 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a central processing unit (CPU); power management logic within the CPU to enable the CPU to execute a first quantity of instructions per cycle whenever the temperature of the CPU exceeds a predetermined threshold and to execute a second quantity of instructions per cycle whenever the temperature of the CPU is below the predetermined threshold; an artificial activity generator within the power management logic to generate artificial activity within the CPU whenever the temperature of the CPU is below the predetermined threshold to minimize current spikes within the CPU, the artificial activity being simulated instructions for the CPU; and programmable array logic (PAL) coupled to the CPU to operate as an interrupt handler to control the CPU upon receiving an interrupt from the power management logic indicating that temperature of the CPU is at least one of above or below the predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method comprising:
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determining whether the temperature of a central processing unit (CPU) exceeds a predetermined threshold, and if so; generating a high temperature interrupt; receiving the high temperature interrupt at programmable array logic (PAL), wherein the PAL controls the CPU upon receiving the interrupt; transmitting a signal to the CPU indicating a first quantity of instructions per cycle; and executing the first quantity of instructions per cycle if the temperature of the CPU continues to exceed the predetermined threshold; and determining whether the temperature of the CPU falls below the predetermined threshold, and if so; generating a normal temperature interrupt; receiving the normal temperature interrupt at the PAL; transmitting a signal to the CPU indicating a second quantity of instructions per cycle; executing the second quantify of instructions if the temperature of the CPU remains below the predetermined threshold; and entering an artificial activity mode to generate artificial activity within the CPU while the temperature of the CPU is remains below the predetermined threshold in order to minimize current spikes within the CPU, the artificial activity being simulated instructions for the CPU. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A central processing unit (CPU) comprising:
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a thermal sensor; an instruction execution unit to; receive a first signal from programmable array logic (PAL) indicating execution of a first quantity of instructions per cycle in a first execution mode whenever the thermal sensor indicates a temperature of the CPU exceeds a predetermined threshold; and receive a second signal from the PAL indicating execution of a second quantity of instructions per cycle in a second execution mode whenever the thermal sensor indicates the temperature of the CPU falls below the predetermined threshold; and an artificial activity generator to generate artificial activity within the CPU whenever the temperature of the CPU falls below the predetermined threshold to minimize current spikes within the CPU, the artificial activity being simulated instructions for the CPU. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification