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US 2003/0126477 A1Published application
Method and apparatus for controlling a supply voltage to a processor
OwnerKevin X. Zhang, Don J. Nguyen +1inventors
InventorsKevin X. Zhang, Don J. Nguyen, Daniel J. Lenehan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a processor may receive a supply voltage provided by an external voltage regulator. The processor may include a voltage sensor, the output of which may be a control signal to indicate if the supply voltage is above or below a target value. This target value may be adjusted by the processor in accordance with a power management policy. The control signal may be provided to the external voltage regulator to adjust the supply voltage accordingly.
Claims18
A processor comprising:
- a first port to receive a supply voltage from an external voltage regulator, the supply voltage to power the processor;
- a voltage sensor to monitor the supply voltage;
- and
- a second port to provide a control signal from the voltage sensor to the voltage regulator to indicate if the supply voltage is above or below a target value.
1 more element
A computer system comprising:
- a discrete voltage regulator to provide a supply voltage;
- and
- a processor, powered by the supply voltage, to provide a control signal to the voltage regulator to indicate a target value for the supply voltage.
A method comprising:
- enabling a voltage regulator to provide Vcc to a processor;
- enabling the processor to receive Vcc from the voltage regulator and to send a control signal associated with Vcc to the voltage regulator, the control signal to indicate a target value;
- and
- enabling the voltage regulator to receive the control signal from the processor, the voltage regulator to adjust Vcc to the target value in response to the control signal.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.