Dynamic reliability quality monitoring

A method comprising:

• operating a functional unit of a processor;
• comparing, by a monitor comprising circuitry, an actual usage of the functional unit to an expected usage of the functional unit, wherein the expected usage is based at least in part on an age of the functional unit;
• and
• updating, by a power manager comprising circuitry, operating parameters of the functional unit to change power consumption for the functional unit, in response to determining the actual usage is different from the expected usage;
• wherein in response to determining the actual usage is less than the expected usage, the updating comprises changing maximum values of the operating parameters to be greater than current maximum values of the operating parameters such that the functional unit operates at a higher performance level.

An on-die reliability monitor comprising:

• a first interface comprising circuitry configured to receive information indicative of an actual usage of a functional unit;
• control logic comprising circuitry configured to:
• compare the actual usage of the functional unit to an expected usage of the functional unit;
• and
• generate information usable to change operating parameters of the functional unit, in response to determining the actual usage is different than the expected usage;
• and
• a second interface comprising circuitry configured to convey the information to a power manager;
• wherein in response to determining the received actual usage is less than the expected usage, the information indicates an increase in maximum values for the operating parameters.

A system comprising:

• a functional unit;
• a system management unit including operational instructions comprising an algorithm for adapting operating parameters over time;
• a monitor comprising circuitry configured to:
• monitor an actual usage of the functional unit;
• compare the actual usage of the functional unit to an expected usage of the functional unit, wherein the expected usage is based at least in part on an age of the functional unit;
• and
• provide information corresponding to said compare;
• a power manager comprising circuitry configured to:
• update operating parameters of the functional unit to change power consumption for the functional unit, responsive to the information and the operational instructions;
• and
• send the updated operating parameters to the functional unit;
• wherein in response to determining the actual usage is less than the expected usage, the updated operating parameters include maximum values for the operating parameters that are greater than current maximum values for the operating parameters.