Method and apparatus for increasing the operating frequency of an electronic circuit

A computer-readable storage device storing instructions that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform a method for increasing an operating frequency of an electronic circuit beyond a maximum sustainable operating frequency, the method comprising:

• measuring a temperature related to the electronic circuit;
• adjusting the operating frequency of the electronic circuit based on the measured temperature by:
• reading the measured temperature, and if the temperature is below a specified maximum, increasing the operating frequency of the electronic circuit to exceed the maximum sustainable operating frequency, wherein the maximum sustainable operating frequency is the frequency at which the electronic circuit will operate continuously without exceeding its heat dissipation capacity, and if the temperature is not below the specified maximum, setting the operating frequency of the electronic circuit to the maximum sustainable operating frequency.

An apparatus for increasing an operating frequency of an electronic circuit beyond a maximum sustainable operating frequency, comprising:

• a measuring device comprising a thermal sensor configured to measure a temperature related to the electronic circuit;
• a controlling device comprising a frequency controller configured to adjust the operating frequency of the electronic circuit based on the measured temperature by increasing the operating frequency of the electronic circuit to exceed the maximum sustainable operating frequency if the temperature is below a specified maximum, wherein the maximum sustainable operating frequency is the frequency at which the electronic circuit will operate continuously without exceeding its heat dissipation capacity, and if the temperature is not below the specified maximum, the controlling device is configured to setting the operating frequency of the electronic circuit to the maximum sustainable operating frequency.