Adaptive frequency scaling based on clock cycle time measurement
AssigneeProteantecs Ltd.
InventorsEyal Fayneh, Inbar Weintrob, Evelyn Landman, Faten Tanasra, Guy Redler, Shai Tzroia
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Abstract
Generation of a clock signal in a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) is controlled using a Noise Modulation Agent (NMA), configured to measure the clock signal and output a parameter indicative of an effective cycle time of the clock signal. An Adaptive Frequency Scaling (AFS) circuit selectively adjusts a frequency of the clock signal, based on the output of the NMA indicating a change in a power supply voltage of the semiconductor IC.
Claims20
A controller for generation of a clock signal in a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC), the controller comprising:
- a Noise Modulation Agent (NMA) configured to measure the clock signal and output a parameter indicative of an effective cycle time of the clock signal;
- and
- an Adaptive Frequency Scaling (AFS) circuit configured to adjust a frequency of the clock signal based on the output of the NMA indicating a change in a power supply voltage of the semiconductor IC, wherein the AFS circuit is further configured to activate the adjustment of the frequency of the clock signal if the output of the NMA descends below a first threshold.
A method for generating a clock signal in a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC), the method comprising:
- measuring the clock signal to provide a parameter indicative of an effective cycle time of the clock signal;
- adjusting or switching a frequency of the clock signal, based on the parameter indicative of the effective cycle time of the clock signal indicating a change in a power supply voltage of the semiconductor IC, using an Adaptive Frequency Scaling (AFS) circuit;
- and
- activating the adjustment or the switching of the frequency of the clock signal if the parameter indicative of the effective cycle time of the clock signal descends below a first threshold, wherein the step of measuring the clock signal is performed by a Noise Modulation Agent (NMA), and wherein the parameter indicative of the effective cycle time of the clock signal is an output of the NMA.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.