Power managers for an integrated circuit
AssigneeConversant Intellectual Property Management Inc.
InventorsBarry Alan HOBERMAN, Daniel L. HILLMAN, Jon Shiell
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods manage power in an integrated circuit using power islands. The integrated circuit includes a plurality of power islands where power consumption is independently controlled within each of the power islands. A power manager determines a target power level for one of the power islands. The power manager then determines an action to change a consumption power level of the one of the power islands to the target power level. The power manager performs the action to change the consumption power level of the one of the power islands to the target power level.
Claims5
A method of managing power on an integrated circuit including a plurality of power islands, the method comprising:
- determining a target power level for one of the power islands based on needs and operation of the integrated circuit where power consumption is independently controlled within each of the power islands, each of the power islands comprising its own set of predetermined frequencies;
- determining an action to change a power consumption level of the one of the power islands to the target power level;
- and
- performing the action to change the power consumption level of the one of the power islands to the target power level, the plurality of actions comprising powering-up/off one of the power islands, selecting an operating frequency from the set of predetermined frequencies for the one of the power islands, and selecting a vdd for one of the power islands, wherein selecting an operating frequency for the one of the power islands comprises:
- sending a request from a first power manager to a second power manager to change the operating frequency of the one of the power islands,
- receivng the request by a second power manager, and
- selecting, by the second power manager, the operating frequency from the set of predetermined frequencies for the one of the power islands.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.