Methods and devices for treating and processing data

• US 7,444,531 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2002
• Issued: 10/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Scientia Sol Mentis AG (PACT XPP Schweiz AG)
• Original Assignee: Pact XPP Technologies, AG
• Inventors: Vorbach, Martin, Baumgarte, Volker
• Primary Examiner(s): ELAMIN, ABDELMONIEM I
• Application Number:
  US10/469,909
• Publication Number:
  US 20050066213A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,429 Days
• Field of Search: 713/300, 713/310, 713320-324, 713/330, 713/340, 713400-401, 713500-503, 713600-601
• US Class Current: 713/323
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3237 by disabling clock generation or distribution
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/50 in wire-line communication networks, e.g. low power modes or reduced link rate

Abstract

A data processing unit having a field of clocked logic cells (PAEs) which is operable in different configuration states and a clock preselecting means for preselecting logic cell clocking. The clock preselecting means is designed in such a way that, depending on the state, a first clock is preselected at least at a first cell (PAE) and an additional clock is preselected at least at an additional cell.

Claims

1. A method of data processing by operating a matrix of clocked functional units which are configurable with respect to clock rate, interconnection, and functionality, comprising:

setting a configuration for execution of a complex operation on data packets, wherein the setting of the configuration comprises;

selecting a group of the functional units for the configuration, the group including at least a first functional unit and a second functional unit; and

for each functional unit of the group setting a respective functionality of the functional unit; and

determining a first clock rate for the first functional unit for execution of its set functionality and a second clock rate for the second functional unit for execution of its set functionality, the second clock rate differing from the first clock rate;

wherein;

each of the first and second clock rates is generated from a global master clock; and

the first clock rate is determined, at least in part, based on the functionality set for the second functional unit.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

preselecting a clock rate for at least one of the functional units, the clock rate being preselected one of together with its configuration or determined by its configuration.

3. The method as recited claim 2, wherein the group of the functional units is jointly configured for executing algebraic or other operations which require a different number of clock cycles and wherein at least one of the functional units, executing an operation which requires fewer clock cycles than an operation requiring the most clock cycles within the group, is clocked slower than at least one other functional unit.

4. The method as recited in claim 3, further comprising:

configuring at least one group of functional units for sequential data processing.

5. The method as recited in claim 3, further comprising:

configuring at least two groups of the matrix for executing at least two different tasks which are assigned different priorities, a first one of the groups, appointed for executing a task having a lower priority than that of a second one of the groups, being clocked using a lower clock frequency than that of the second one of the groups.

6. The method as recited in claim 3, further comprising:

determining at least one of a condition of a voltage supply source and a temperature, wherein at least one of the first clock rate and the second clock rate is determined as a function of the at least one of the voltage and temperature.

7. The method as recited in claim 4, further comprising:

determining at least one of a condition of a voltage supply source and a temperature, wherein at least one of the first clock rate and the second clock rate is determined as a function of the at least one of the voltage and temperature.

8. The method as recited in claim 4, further comprising:

configuring at least two groups of the matrix for executing at least two different tasks which are assigned different priorities, a first one of the groups, appointed for executing a task having a lower priority than that of a second one of the groups, being clocked using a lower clock frequency than that of the second one of the groups.

9. The method as recited in claim 6, further comprising:

configuring at least two groups of the matrix for executing at least two different tasks which are assigned different priorities, a first one of the groups, appointed for executing a task having a lower priority than that of a second one of the groups, being clocked using a lower clock frequency than that of the second one of the groups.

10. The method as recited in claim 7, further comprising:

configuring at least two groups of the matrix for executing at least two different tasks which are assigned different priorities, a first one of the groups, appointed for executing a task having a lower priority than that of a second one of the groups, being clocked using a lower clock frequency than that of the second one of the groups.