Semiconductor chip

A semiconductor chip comprising;

• a delay monitoring means for finding a critical path delay characteristic of a target circuit subjected by power supply voltage control;
• a voltage setting signal generating means for generating a voltage setting signal for setting a power supply voltage to be supplied to the target circuit based on the result of monitoring of delay by the delay monitoring means;
• and
• a voltage setting restricting means for restricting the maximum value of the power supply voltage set in the voltage setting signal to a predetermined value,
• wherein said voltage setting restricting means determines the maximum value of the power supply voltage to be restricted in accordance with a signal indicating an operation state of the target circuit, and
• wherein said voltage setting restricting means includes:
• a plurality of first storing means for storing maximum voltage setting signals for setting the maximum value of the power supply voltage to be restricted;
• a selecting means for selecting a maximum voltage setting signal corresponding to a signal indicating the operation state of the target circuit from among the maximum voltage setting signals stored in the plurality of first storing means;
• and
• a comparing means for comparing the maximum value of the power supply voltage set by the maximum voltage setting signal selected by the selecting means with the value of the power supply voltage set by the voltage setting signal and outputting the signal having a lower voltage setting.