Power reduction in a multiprocessor digital signal processor based on processor load

A circuit that includes a processor, comprising:

• a controller, responsive to an applied task and to a specification of a time interval, where duration of at most said time interval is necessary for execution of said applied task, for developing a frequency of operation for said processor that is the lowest frequency of operation that allows completion of said applied task within said time interval;
• a calibration circuit responsive to said controller for directing creation of a supply voltage for said processor, and
• a power supply responsive to said calibration circuit, for developing said supply voltage for said processor and applying said supply voltage to said processor;
• wherein said controller directs said processor to execute said task after said supply voltage is applied to said processor and the frequency of a clock applied to said processor is set to said lowest frequency of operation that allows completion of said applied task within said time interval.

A circuit comprising:

• a controller processing element;
• a plurality of task-handling processing elements;
• a calibration circuit responsive to said controller processing element for directing creation of a supply voltage for said processing elements;
• and
• a power supply circuit, responsive to said calibration circuit, for developing a supply voltage for said task-handling processing elements;
• wherein said controller processing element directs said task-handling processing elements to execute tasks at a selected processing frequency.

A circuit that includes a processor, comprising:

• first means, responsive to an applied task and to a specification for a time interval, where duration of at most said time interval is necessary to execute said task, for developing a frequency of operation for said processor that is the lowest frequency of operation that allows completion of said applied task within said time interval;
• second means responsive to said first means for directing creation of a supply voltage for said processor, and
• third means, responsive to said second means, for developing said supply voltage for said processor and applying said supply voltage to said processor;
• wherein said first means directs said processor to execute said task after said supply voltage is applied to said processor and the frequency of a clock applied to said processor is set to said lowest frequency of operation that allows completion of said applied task within said time interval.