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Failsafe mechanism for preventing an integrated circuit from overheating

  • US 7,296,928 B2
  • Filed: 09/26/2005
  • Issued: 11/20/2007
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2003
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:

  • detecting using a thermal sensor whether a temperature of an integrated circuit (IC) exceeds a threshold independent of an operating state of the IC, the thermal sensor and the IC being driven by a power source;

    configuring the thermal sensor when the IC is powered up to a predetermined level of power from the power source based on a thermal configuration associated with the IC;

    stalling a predetermined period of time to allow a result of detection by the thermal sensor to be substantially stable, stalling the predetermined period of time being performed in response to a signal indicating that configuration of the thermal sensor has been completed;

    removing after the predetermined period of time at least a portion of a power from the IC if the temperature of the IC exceeds the threshold based on the result of the detection; and

    generating a clock signal to control the detecting whether the temperature of the IC exceeds the threshold, wherein the generating comprises detecting whether an external clock exists;

    deriving the clock signal from the external clock if the external clock source exists; and

    generating the clock signal from an internal clock if the external clock source does not exist.

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