Varying the supply voltage in response to the current supplied to a computer system
AssigneePoqet Computer Corporation
InventorsJohn P. Fairbanks, Andy C. Yuan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed is a power system for use with a computer, the power system having incorporated in it circuitry for automatically varying the supply voltage output to the computer system based upon the magnitude of the current being supplied to the computer by the power system. Also included in the computer system is a variable frequency clock circuit, the frequency of which changes based upon the supply voltage produced by the power system. This permits, during computer system operation where low voltage and low clock speeds will be sufficient to provide the performance needed, achievement of a power saving since both the voltage and frequency at which the system operates is reduced, thereby markedly reducing the power consumption.
Claims16
A power system for providing a supply voltage to a computer and automatically varying said supply voltage responsive to themagnitude of the current being supplied to the computer, said power system comprising:
- a supply voltage circuit for generating at an output terminal said supply voltage and said current being supplied to the computer, said supply voltage circuit having a control terminal for receiving a control signal for varying said supply voltage between a first voltage level and a second voltage level in accordance with the magnitude of said control signal;
- and
- a current sensing circuit for sensing said current provided to the computer, said current sensing circuit generating at its output said control signal such said control signal varies in magnitude in accordance with said current sensed, so as to vary said supply voltage between said first and second voltage levels.
In a power system, a method for providing a supply voltage to a computer and for automatically varying said supply voltage responsive to the magnitude of current being supplied to the computer, said method comprising:
- providing a supply voltage circuit for generating at an output terminal. said supply voltage and said current being supplied to the computer, said supply voltage circuit being provided a control terminal for receiving a control signal for varying said supply voltage between said a first voltage level and a second voltage level in accordance with the magnitude of said control signal;
- providing a current sensing circuit for sensing said current provided to the computer, said current sensing circuit generating at its output said control signal such that said control signal varies in magnitude in accordance with the current sensed;
- and provide said control signal to said control temrinal so as to vary said supply voltage between said first and second voltage levels.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.