Adaptive power control

• US 7,596,708 B1
• Filed: 04/25/2006
• Issued: 09/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Semcon IP Inc. (Quest Patent Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Intellectual Ventures Funding LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Read, Andrew, Lawrence, Thomas, Klayman, Keith, Fleischmann, Marc, D'Souza, Godfrey P., Chen, Zongjian, Anvin, H. Peter, Halepete, Sameer
• Primary Examiner(s): Myers, Paul R
• Application Number:
  US11/411,309
• Time in Patent Office: 1,253 Days
• Field of Search: 713300-340
• US Class Current: 713/322
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/08 Clock generators with changeable or programmable clock frequency
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/324 by lowering clock frequency
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3296 by lowering the supply or operating voltage
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

A method for controlling the power used by a computer including the steps of measuring the operating characteristics of a central processor of the computer, determining when the operating characteristics of the central processor are significantly different than required by the operations being conducted, and changing the operating characteristics of the central processor to a level commensurate with the operations being conducted.

Claims

1. A method of adjusting power of a processor, said method comprising:

(a) changing an operating frequency at which said processor is operated from a first frequency to a second frequency while execution of instructions by said processor is stopped;

(b) changing a voltage at which said processor is operated from a first voltage corresponding to said first frequency to a second voltage corresponding to said second frequency while said processor executes instructions where said processor is not capable of functioning at said first frequency and said second voltage.

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

monitoring an operating characteristic of said processor; and

determining whether said first voltage should be changed based at least in part on said operating characteristic.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

monitoring operating characteristics of said processor;

determining whether said monitored operating characteristics indicate that the operating frequency of said processor should be changed; and

if said operating frequency of said processor should be changed, determining said second frequency and said second voltage.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said processor receives battery-supplied power.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said processor includes a phase lock loop and said changing said operating frequency further comprises:

waiting for a period of time sufficient to allow said phase lock loop to relock.

6. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said processor includes a clock and said changing said operating frequency further comprises:

shutting down said clock.

7. A computer comprising:

a memory comprising instructions stored therein; and

a processor adapted to adjust consumption of power by changing a frequency of operation of the processor from a first frequency to a second frequency while execution of instructions is stopped, and changing a voltage from a first voltage corresponding to said first frequency to a second voltage corresponding to said second frequency at which said processor is operated while allowing said processor to execute instructions and where said processor can not function at said first frequency and said second voltage.

8. The computer as recited in claim 7, wherein said processor monitors one or more operating characteristics of said processor, and wherein said processor determines whether one or more of said monitored operating characteristics indicate that said voltage should be changed.

9. The computer as recited in claim 7 wherein said processor monitors operating characteristics of said processor, wherein said processor determines whether said monitored operating characteristics indicate that said frequency of operation of said processor should be changed, and wherein said processor determines said second voltage if said frequency of operation of said processor should be changed.

10. The computer as recited in claim 7 wherein said power comprises battery-supplied power.

11. The computer as recited in claim 7 further comprising:

a phase lock loop integrated into said processor.

12. The computer as recited in claim 7 wherein said processor includes a phase lock loop and said changing the frequency of operation further comprises:

waititn for a period of time sufficient to allow said phase lock loop to relock.

13. The computer as recited in claim 7 wherein said processor includes a clock and said changing the frequency of operation further comprises:

shutting down said clock.

14. An apparatus comprising:

a programmable frequency generator providing a clock signal with an operating frequency at a first frequency;

means for executing instructions, said means coupled to said clock signal and operating with a first voltage corresponding to said first frequency;

means for causing adjustment in consumption of power by said apparatus, by (a) causing said programmable frequency generator to change said operating frequency to a second frequency while execution of said instructions is stopped; and

(b) changing said first voltage to a second voltage corresponding to said second frequency while said means for executing instruction executes instructions where said means for executing instructions can not function at said first frequency and said second voltage.

15. The apparatus as recited in claim 14 wherein said means for causing adjustment monitors operating characteristics of said apparatus, and wherein said means for causing adjustment determines whether said monitored operating characteristics indicate that said first voltage should be changed.

16. The apparatus as recited in claim 14 wherein said means for causing adjustment monitors operating characteristics of said apparatus, wherein said means for causing adjustment determines whether said monitored operating characteristics indicate that said operating frequency of said apparatus should be changed from said first operating frequency, and wherein said means for causing adjustment determines said second voltage if said operating frequency of said apparatus should be changed.

17. The apparatus as recited in claim 14 wherein said power comprises battery-supplied power.

18. The apparatus as recited in claim 14 wherein said programmable frequency generator includes a phase lock loop and said causing comprises said means for executing instructions waiting for a period of time sufficient to allow said phase lock loop to relock.

19. The apparatus as recited in claim 14 wherein said causing adjustment comprises shutting down said clock to said means for executing instructions.

20. A method for adjusting power consumption in a processor hang a processing unit that operates at (a) a frequency responsive to a clock signal provided by a programmable frequency generator and (b) an operating voltage, said method comprising:

(i) adjusting said programmable frequency generator while instruction execution is stopped to change the frequency of said processing unit from a first frequency to a second frequency; and

(ii) changing the operating voltage of said processing unit from a first voltage corresponding to said first frequency to a second voltage corresponding to said second frequency while execution of instructions by said processing unit proceeds where said processor can not function at said first frequency and said second voltage.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein said programmable frequency generator includes a phase lock loop, and said adjusting further comprises:

waiting for a period of time sufficient to allow said phase lock loop to relock.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein said adjusting said programmable frequency generator comprises stopping said clock signal.

23. A method for adjusting power consumption in a processor having a processing unit that operates at (a) a frequency responsive to a clock signal provided by a programmable frequency generator and (b) an operating voltage, said method comprising:

(i) stopping execution of instructions in said processing unit;

(ii) while instruction execution is stopped, adjusting said programmable frequency generator to change the frequency of said processing unit from a first frequency to a second frequency; and

(iii) changing the operating voltage while allowing the processing unit to execute instructions from a first voltage corresponding to said first frequency to a second voltage corresponding to said second frequency where said processing unit can not function at said first frequency and said second voltage.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein said programmable frequency generator comprises a phase lock loop and said stopping further comprises:

waiting for a period of time sufficient to allow said phase lock loop to relock.

25. The method of claim 23 wherein said stopping comprises stopping said clock signal.

26. A method for adjusting power consumption in a processor inctuding a processing unit that operates at (a) a frequency responsive to a clock signal provided by a programmable frequency generator and (b) an operating voltage, said method comprising:

(i) changing the operating voltage from a first voltage to a second voltage while the processing unit is enabled to execute instructions;

(ii) disabling execution of instructions by said processing unit; and

(iii) while instruction execution is disabled, adjusting said programmable frequency generator to change the frequency of said processing unit from a first frequency corresponding to said first voltage to a second frequency corresponding to said second voltage where said processing unit can not function at said second frequency and said first voltage.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein said processing unit has a nominal operating frequency and a corresponding operating voltage, said method further comprising:

said changing comprising setting said second voltage to a value higher than said corresponding operating voltage; and

said adjusting comprising setting said second frequency of said processing unit to a value higher than said nominal operating frequency.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

operating the processing unit at said second voltage and said second frequency for a period of time.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein the period comprises a time less than required for a temperature to increase beyond a selected level.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein said selected level comprises a safe level.

31. The method of claim 27 further comprising:

operating at said second voltage and said second frequency while a temperature remains at or below a selected level.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein said selected level comprises a safe level.

33. A processor comprising:

a processing unit for executing instructions, said processing unit operating at a first operating voltage and at a corresponding first frequency of operation, wherein;

said processor monitors one or more operating characteristics of said processor and determines whether said monitored operating characteristics indicate that consumption of power by said processor should be decreased, and

said processor, in response to a determination to decrease the consumption of power, changes the first frequency of operation of the processing unit to a second frequency of operation while execution of instructions by the processing unit is stopped, and changes the first operating voltage to a second operating voltage corresponding to said second frequency of operation while said processing unit executes instructions where said processing unit can not function at said first frequency of operation and said second operating voltage.

34. The processor of claim 33, wherein said processor monitors a thermal condition operating characteristic and adjusts the consumption of power based at least in part on said thermal condition.

35. The processor of claim 33 wherein at least some of the instructions are utilized by said processor to monitor one or more of said operating characteristics.

36. A processor comprising:

a processing unit for executing instructions, said processing unit operating at an operating voltage and at a frequency of operation, wherein said processor, in response to a determination to decrease the consumption of power,

(i) changes the frequency of operation of the processing unit from a first frequency to a second frequency while execution of instructions by the processing unit is stopped, and

(ii) changes the voltage at which said processing unit is operated from a first voltage corresponding to said first frequency to a second voltage corresponding to said second frequency while said processing unit executes instructions where said processing unit can not function at said first frequency and said second voltage.

37. The processor of claim 36 wherein said processor monitors a thermal condition of said processor, and adjusts the consumption of power based at least in part on said thermal condition.

38. The processor of claim 36 wherein said processor monitors operating characteristics of said processor utilizing at least some of the instructions.

39. A processor having a nominal operating frequency and a corresponding operating voltage, said processor comprising:

a processing unit capable of executing instructions, said processing unit operating at an operating voltage and at a frequency of operation, wherein said processor, in response to a determination to adjust said frequency of operation,

(i) changes the voltage at which said processing unit is operated to a value greater than said corresponding operating voltage while said processing unit executes instructions, and

(ii) changes the frequency of operation of the processing unit to a frequency value greater than said nominal operating frequency while execution of instructions by the processing unit is stopped.

40. The processor of claim 39, wherein said processing unit operates at said increased voltage and frequency for a period of time.

41. The processor of claim 40 wherein said processor monitors a temperature and the period comprises a time less than required for said temperature to increase beyond a selected level.

42. The processor of claim 41 wherein said selected level comprises a safe level.

43. The processor of claim 39 wherein said processor monitors a temperature of said processor and said processing unit operates at said voltage value and said frequency value while said temperature remains at or below a selected level.

44. The processor of claim 43 wherein said selected level comprises a safe level.

45. The processor of claim 39 wherein said processor can not function at the frequency of operation greater than said nominal operating frequency and said corresponding operating voltage.

46. The processor of claim 45, wherein said processing unit operates at said increased voltage and frequency for a period of time.

47. The processor of claim 46 wherein said processor monitors a temperature and the period comprises a time less than required for said temperature to increase beyond a selected level.

48. The processor of claim 47 wherein said selected level comprises a safe level.

49. The processor of claim 45 wherein said processor monitors a temperature of said processor and said processing unit operates at said voltage value and said frequency value while said temperature remains at or below a selected level.

50. The processor of claim 49 wherein said selected level comprises a safe level.

51. A method of adjusting power of a processor, said method comprising:

(i) changing a voltage at which said processor is operated from a first voltage to a second voltage while said processor executes instructions; and

(ii) changing an operating frequency at which said processor is operated from a first frequency corresponding to said first voltage to a second frequency corresponding to said second voltage while execution of instructions by said processor is stopped where said processor is not capable of functioning at said second frequency and said first voltage.

52. The method as recited in claim 51 further comprising:

monitoring an operating characteristic of said processor; and

determining whether said first frequency should be changed based at least in part on said operating characteristic.

53. The method as recited in claim 51 further comprising:

monitoring operating characteristics of said processor;

determining whether said monitored operating characteristics indicate that the operating frequency of said processor should be changed; and

if said operating frequency of said processor should be changed, determining said second frequency and said second voltage.

54. The method as recited in claim 51 wherein said first frequency is the nominal operating frequency of the processor.

55. A processor comprising:

a processing unit for executing instructions, said processing unit operating at a first operating voltage and at a corresponding first frequency of operation, wherein;

said processor monitors one or more operating characteristics of said processor and determines whether said monitored operating characteristics indicate that performance of said processor should be increased, and

said processor, in response to a determination to increase the performance, changes the first operating voltage to a second operating voltage while said processing unit executes instructions, and changes the first frequency of operation of the processing unit to a second frequency of operation corresponding to said second operating voltage while execution of instructions by the processing unit is stopped where said processing unit can not function at said second frequency of operation and said first operating voltage.

56. The processor of claim 55, wherein said processor monitors a thermal condition operating characteristic and adjusts the consumption of power based at least in part on said thermal condition.

57. The processor of claim 55 wherein at least some of the instructions are utilized by said processor to monitor one or more of said operating characteristics.

58. The processor of claim 55 wherein the first operating frequency is the nominal operating frequency of the processor.

59. A processor comprising:

a processing unit for executing instructions, said processing unit operating at an operating voltage and at a frequency of operation, wherein said processor, in response to a determination to increase performance,

(i) changes the voltage at which said processing unit is operated from a first voltage to a second voltage while said processing unit executes instructions; and

(i) changes the frequency of operation of the processing unit from a first frequency corresponding to said first voltage to a second frequency corresponding to said second voltage while execution of instructions by the processing unit is stopped and where said processing unit can not function at said second frequency and said first voltage.

60. The processor of claim 59 wherein said processor monitors a thermal condition of said processor, and adjusts the consumption of power based at least in part on said thermal condition.

61. The processor of claim 59 wherein said processor monitors operating characteristics of said processor utilizing at least some of the instructions.

62. The processor of claim 59 wherein said first frequency is the nominal frequency of operation of the processor.