Method, apparatus, and machine-readable medium to enhance microprocessor performance
AssigneeIntel Corporation
InventorXia Dai
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention allows enhancement of a microprocessor's performance. Microprocessor-operated devices are designed for worst-case operating conditions, a thermal design power limit, such as software application instruction mix, and ambient temperature around the microprocessor. Designing for these worst-case conditions reduces the capabilities of microprocessors that do not continuously operate under worst-case operating conditions. The present invention comprises a method, apparatus, and machine-readable medium to increase a microprocessor's speed by facilitating operation of the microprocessor above the thermal design power limit.
Claims5
A system, comprising:
- an enhanced speed state controller;
- an enhanced speed state memory coupled to said enhanced speed state controller;
- a lower power dissipation state memory separate from the enhanced speed state memory and coupled to said enhanced speed state controller;
- an instruction mix determiner coupled to the lower power dissipation state memory;
- a microprocessor trigger temperature detector coupled to said enhanced speed state controller;
- a voltage regulator coupled to said enhanced speed state controller;
- and
- a clock circuit coupled to said enhanced speed state controller.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.