Adaptive voltage frequency scaling for optimal power efficiency

A method for performing adaptive dynamic voltage frequency scaling in an integrated circuit (IC), the method comprising:

• generating a clock signal having a current frequency and a current voltage level in an IC;
• receiving a new frequency request, the new frequency request comprising a difference between a maximum allowed frequency corresponding to the current voltage level and a software-requested frequency;
• generating a new voltage request based on the new frequency request, the new voltage request corresponding to a voltage level sufficient to sustain the new frequency request;
• adjusting a current voltage in the IC to a new voltage that approximates the new voltage request;
• adjusting the new frequency request to an adjusted frequency request based on operating conditions in the IC;
• and
• adjusting a frequency in a clock signal generator to the adjusted frequency request,
• wherein the maximum allowed frequency is determined by referencing a look-up table based on a plurality of operating conditions in the IC.

A method for adjusting a frequency request for adaptive voltage and frequency scaling, the method comprising:

• measuring a plurality of current operating conditions in the IC;
• referencing a maximum allowed frequency allowed by the IC based on the plurality of current operating conditions in response to receiving the new frequency request;
• and
• generating a new frequency request based on the frequency difference.