On-board performance monitor and power control system

• US 7,840,379 B2
• Filed: 08/04/2008
• Issued: 11/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Vorenkamp, Pieter, Kim, Neil Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): Raymond; Edward
• Application Number:
  US12/185,216
• Publication Number:
  US 20080294379A1
• Time in Patent Office: 841 Days
• Field of Search: 702/182, 702/185, 702/188
• US Class Current: 702/182
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/00 Thermometers specially adapted for specific purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/28 Testing of electronic circuits, e.g. by signal tracer EMC, EMP or similar testing of electronic circuits G01R31/002; testing for short-circuits, discontinuities, leakage or incorrect line connection G01R31/50; checking computers or computer components G06F11/00; checking static stores for correct operation G11C29/00 ; testing receivers or transmitters of transmission systems H04B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/66 Regulating electric power
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3409 for performance assessment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 17/00 Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions information retrieval, database structures or file system structures therefor G06F16/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00002 characterised by monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/00 Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/30 State monitoring, e.g. fault, temperature monitoring, insulator monitoring, corona discharge
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/00 Management or operation of end-user stationary applications or the last stages of power distribution; Controlling, monitoring or operating thereof

Abstract

A system and method for controlling performance and/or power based on monitored performance characteristics. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise an integrated circuit comprising a first circuit module that receives electrical power. A second circuit module may monitor one or more performance characteristics of the first circuit module and/or the integrated circuit. A third circuit module may, for example, determine power control information based at least in part on the monitored performance characteristic(s). The power control information may be communicated to power supply circuitry to control various characteristics of the electrical power. Various aspects of the present invention may also comprise an integrated circuit comprising a first module that monitors at least one performance characteristic of a first electrical device. The integrated circuit may also comprise modules that determine power control information based on the monitored performance characteristic(s) and communicate such power control information to power supply circuitry.

Claims

1. An integrated circuit comprising:

a first module that operates to receive electrical power and perform a function; and

at least one second module that operates to, at least;

monitor a performance characteristic of one or both of the first module and the integrated circuit; and

communicate with a third module regarding the monitored performance characteristic.

2. The integrated circuit of claim 1, where the third module operates to perform power control functionality.

3. The integrated circuit of claim 1, where the third module is internal to the integrated circuit.

4. The integrated circuit of claim 1, where the third module is external to the integrated circuit.

5. The integrated circuit of claim 4, where the third module is a module of a power supply circuit that is external to the integrated circuit.

6. The integrated circuit of claim 1, where the third module operates to, at least:

receive information regarding performance characteristics of a plurality of modules, the plurality of modules comprising the first module;

analyze the received information regarding performance characteristics to determine power control information; and

communicate the determined power control information to power supply circuitry that provides the electrical power.

7. The integrated circuit of claim 6, where the third module operates to analyze the received information regarding performance characteristics to determine power control information by, at least in part, operating to analyze at least one of respective priorities of the plurality of modules and/or respective performance needs of the plurality of modules.

8. The integrated circuit of claim 1, where the performance characteristic comprises processing speed.

9. The integrated circuit of claim 1, where the performance characteristic comprises temperature.

10. The integrated circuit of claim 1, where the performance characteristic comprises error rate.

11. The integrated circuit of claim 1, where the performance characteristics comprises energy consumption and/or energy efficiency.

12. The integrated circuit of claim 1, where the at least one second module operates to communicate information with the third module, the information comprising information of the monitored performance characteristic.

13. The integrated circuit of claim 1, where the at least one second module operates to communicate information with the third module, the information comprising power adjustment information related to a change in the monitored performance characteristic.

14. An integrated circuit comprising:

a performance sensor; and

at least one module that operates to, at least;

utilize the performance sensor to monitor a performance characteristic of a first electrical device that is external to the integrated circuit;

determine power control information based, at least in part, on the monitored performance characteristic; and

communicate at least a portion of the determined power control information with a second electrical device that is external to the integrated circuit.

15. The integrated circuit of claim 14, where the second electrical device comprises a power supply circuit adapted to provide electrical power to the first electrical device.

16. The integrated circuit of claim 14, where the performance characteristic of the first electrical device comprises processing speed.

17. The integrated circuit of claim 14, where the performance characteristic comprises temperature.

18. The integrated circuit of claim 14, where the performance characteristic comprises error rate.

19. The integrated circuit of claim 14, where the performance characteristics comprises energy consumption and/or energy efficiency.

20. The integrated circuit of claim 14, where the communicated power control information comprises information of the monitored performance characteristic.

21. The integrated circuit of claim 14, where the communicated power control information comprises power adjustment information related to a change in the monitored performance characteristic.

22. The integrated circuit of claim 14, wherein the at least one module operates to:

monitor the performance characteristic of a third electrical device that is external to the integrated circuit; and

process information of the monitored performance characteristic of the first and third electrical devices to determine the power control information.