Abstract:
A system and method is provided for establishing safe processor operating points. Some embodiments may include a tamper resistant storage element that stores information regarding one or more operating points of an adjustable processor operating parameter. Some embodiments may further include an element to determine what the current processor operating point is of the operating parameter, and an element to compare the current operating point of the operating parameter with the stored information.
Abstract:
For one disclosed embodiment, a processor comprises a first processor core, a second processor core, and a cache memory. The first processor core is to save a state of the first processor core and to enter a mode in which the first processor core is powered off. The second processor core is to save a state of the second processor core and to enter a mode in which the second processor core is powered off. The cache memory is to be powered when the first processor core is powered off. The first processor core is to restore the saved state of the first processor core in response to the first processor core transitioning to a mode in which the first processor core is powered. The second processor core is to restore the saved state of the second processor core in response to the second processor core transitioning to a mode in which the second processor core is powered. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
Abstract:
With the progress toward multi-core processors, each core is can not readily ascertain the status of the other dies with respect to an idle or active status. A proposal for utilizing an interface to transmit core status among multiple cores in a multi-die microprocessor is discussed. Consequently, this facilitates thermal management by allowing an optimal setting for setting performance and frequency based on utilizing each core status.
Abstract:
A system and method is provided for establishing safe processor operating points. Some embodiments may include a tamper resistant storage element that stores information regarding one or more operating points of an adjustable processor operating parameter. Some embodiments may further include an element to determine what the current processor operating point is of the operating parameter, and an element to compare the current operating point of the operating parameter with the stored information.
Abstract:
A method is described that entails operating enabled cores of a multi-core processor such that both cores support respective software routines with a same instruction set, a first core being higher performance and consuming more power than a second core under a same set of applied supply voltage and operating frequency.
Abstract:
Some embodiments of the invention include an apparatus and method for dynamically choosing an optimum power state. In some embodiments, the optimum power state may be determined from historical information about the various power states that any of the embodiments of the apparatus or a system equipped with embodiments of the apparatus or operating embodiments of the method may encounter. Some embodiments may generate registers to maintain information regarding the various power states. In some embodiments, power management logic may determine the optimum power state based upon this information. Other embodiments are described.
Abstract:
Some embodiments of the invention include an apparatus and method for dynamically choosing an optimum power state. In some embodiments, the optimum power state may be determined from historical information about the various power states that any of the embodiments of the apparatus or a system equipped with embodiments of the apparatus or operating embodiments of the method may encounter. Some embodiments may generate registers to maintain information regarding the various power states. In some embodiments, power management logic may determine the optimum power state based upon this information. Other embodiments are described.
Abstract:
A system and method is provided for establishing safe processor operating points. Some embodiments may include a tamper resistant storage element that stores information regarding one or more operating points of an adjustable processor operating parameter. Some embodiments may further include an element to determine what the current processor operating point is of the operating parameter, and an element to compare the current operating point of the operating parameter with the stored information.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus to retrieve data for a multiprocessor system is described. A request for data is received at a first processor from a bus. A cache is searched for the data, with the data having a state. A determination is made as to whether the state is an exclusive state or shared state. The data is sent to the bus in accordance with the determination.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the invention relate to energy efficient and conserving thermal throttling of electronic device processors using a zero voltage processor state. For example, a processor die may include a power control unit (PCU), and an execution unit having power gates and a thermal sensor. The PCU is attached to the thermal sensor to determine if a temperature of the execution unit has increased to greater than an upper threshold, such as while the execution unit is processing data in an active processor power state. The PCU is also attached to the power gates so that upon such detection, it can change the active processor power state to a zero processor power state to reduce the temperature of the execution unit. When the sensor detects that the temperature has decreased to less than a lower threshold, the PCU can change the processor power state back to the active state.