US 2007/0186128 A1 · MIPS recovery technique

Abstract

Self-calibration of devices such as computer and graphics processors permits adjustment of processor clock rates, and access to normally unused processor capacity. Processor clock rates specified by device manufacturers are normally selected to insure operation across the entire manufacturer-specified range of operating temperatures and supply voltages. By limiting processor clock rates to nominal values, even when operating well within manufacturer-specified temperature and/or supply voltage limits, designers sacrifice processor capacity. By determining the upper limits of processor clock rates at which reliable operation can be realized, and adjusting processor clock rates to match those speeds, a representative embodiment of the present invention permits device users to gain additional, previously inaccessible processing capacity.

Claims30

Dependent claims

An electronic device comprising:

a processor circuit operating at a processor clock rate determined by a programmable clock source under control of the processor circuit;
a non-volatile memory communicatively coupled to the processor circuit;
a real time clock circuit for determining elapsed time, the real time clock circuit communicatively coupled to the processor circuit;
and
wherein the processor circuit automatically determines a maximum reliable processor clock rate by adjusting the processor clock rate in response to detection of processor circuit operational errors.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

MIPS recovery technique

Life of this patent

MIPS recovery technique

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims30