CN100472375C - On-board performance monitor and power control system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and method for controlling performance and/or power based on monitored performance characteristics. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise an integrated circuit comprising a first circuit module that receives electrical power. A second circuit module may monitor one or more performance characteristics of the first circuit module and/or the integrated circuit. A third circuit module may, for example, determine power control information based at least in part on the monitored performance characteristic(s). The power control information may be communicated to power supply circuitry to control various characteristics of the electrical power. Various aspects of the present invention may also comprise an integrated circuit comprising a first module that monitors at least one performance characteristic of a first electrical device. The integrated circuit may also comprise modules that determine power control information based on the monitored performance characteristic(s) and communicate such power control information to power supply circuitry.

Description

On-board performance monitoring and power control system and method

Technical field

The present invention relates to electronic technology field, particularly relate to a kind of on-board performance monitor and power control system.

Background technology

Electronic system is utilized multiple electronic circuit or the module in power provider, multiple integrated circuit (IC) chip and the integrated circuit (IC) chip, can move on various performance levels.Performance level can change according to any reason and condition.For example be not limited to, the variation of power supply can influence performance level.Also for example, the performance of first element or subsystem can influence the performance of the second wireless or subsystem.Further for example, environmental baseline can influence performance level.

Under various operational circumstances, the performance level of the expectation of subsystem or element can change.For example, under the situation of first example, maximum performance level is supposed to.Under the situation of second example, for example, medium-performance level (as the energy efficiency that strengthens) is supposed to.Under the situation of the 3rd example, for example, low performance level (as energy saver mode) is supposed to.

Under various operational circumstances, the performance level of subsystem or element (comprise, for example, integrated circuit) can be and not be supposed to.For example, when expecting relatively low performance level, system, subsystem or an element can move on higher relatively performance level.On the contrary, for example, when expecting higher relatively performance level, system, subsystem or an element can move on relatively low performance level.

Compare by the present invention who is disclosed in the other parts with this system and with reference to the accompanying drawings the application, conventional and classic method carry out that a step limits and shortcoming is conspicuous for the person of ordinary skill of the art.

Summary of the invention

The system and method for the characteristic of a kind of electric power that provides based on the monitoring performance Characteristics Control and/or performance is provided various aspects of the present invention, shows in conjunction with at least one accompanying drawing fully and/or describes, and proposes in claim more up hill and dale.These and other advantage of the present invention, aspect and novel features, with its details of illustrational various aspects, will from following description and accompanying drawing, more fully be understood.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a kind of power control system comprises:

The integrated circuit that comprises first circuit module and second circuit module, wherein, described first circuit module is used to receive electric power and carries out function; And

Described second circuit module further comprises:

First submodule is used to monitor described integrated circuit and described first circuit module one or more Performance Characteristicses one of at least; And

Second submodule is connected to communication described first submodule, is used for the described Performance Characteristics and the tertiary circuit module communication that monitor with regard to described first submodule;

The described Performance Characteristics that monitors that described tertiary circuit resume module receives from described second submodule, to determine to be used to the power control information of power controlling supply circuit, wherein, described power supply circuit provides electric power for described integrated circuit.

Preferably:

Described second circuit module comprises a performance monitor module; And

Described tertiary circuit module comprises a power controller module.

Preferably, described tertiary circuit module is positioned at the inside or the outside of described integrated circuit.

Preferably, the circuit module of the described tertiary circuit module external power supply circuit that is described integrated circuit.

Preferably, described tertiary circuit module is used to:

Reception is about the information of the Performance Characteristics of a plurality of modules, and these a plurality of modules comprise first circuit module;

Analyze received about the information of Performance Characteristics to determine power control information; And

The power control information of determining is sent to provides the power of electric power supply circuit.

Preferably, the described tertiary circuit module demand that is used for the performance separately of priority separately by analyzing a plurality of modules and/or a plurality of modules analyze received about the information of Performance Characteristics to determine power control information.

Preferably, described power control information comprises regulating and controlling request or order.

Preferably, described Performance Characteristics comprises processing speed.

Preferably, described Performance Characteristics comprises that temperature, energy consumption and error rate are one of at least.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the method that provides a kind of control to offer the electric power of integrated circuit, this method comprises:

Receive electric power at the first circuit module place and utilize described electric power to carry out function;

Monitor described integrated circuit and described first circuit module Performance Characteristics one of at least; And

With tertiary circuit module exchange information about the Performance Characteristics that monitors;

The Performance Characteristics that monitors of handling reception is to determine to be used to the power control information of power controlling supply circuit, and wherein, described power supply circuit provides electric power for described integrated circuit.

Preferably, described tertiary circuit module comprises a power controller module.

Preferably, described Performance Characteristics comprises that processing speed, temperature, energy consumption and error rate are one of at least.

Preferably, described information about monitored Performance Characteristics comprises the information of monitored Performance Characteristics.

Preferably, described information about monitored Performance Characteristics comprises the power adjustments information about the variation in the monitored Performance Characteristics.

Preferably, described method further comprises:

Monitor the Performance Characteristics of a plurality of circuit modules, these a plurality of circuit modules comprise first circuit module.

Preferably, the described Performance Characteristics that monitors that handle to receive comprises that further the demand of performance separately of the priority separately of analyzing a plurality of circuit modules and/or a plurality of circuit modules is with definite power control information.

Preferably, described power control information comprises regulating and controlling request or order.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a kind of integrated circuit comprises:

First circuit module is used to monitor the Performance Characteristics at first electronic equipment of described integrated circuit outside;

The second circuit module is used at least in part determining power control information based on described monitored Performance Characteristics; And

The tertiary circuit module is used at least a portion that second electronic equipment with described integrated circuit outside exchanges described definite power control information.

Preferably, described second electronic equipment comprises and is used to provide the power supply circuit of electric power to described first electronic equipment.

Preferably, the Performance Characteristics of described first electronic equipment comprises that processing speed, temperature, energy consumption and error rate are one of at least.

Preferably, described definite power control information comprises the information of described monitored Performance Characteristics.

Preferably, described definite power control information comprises the power adjustments information about the variation in the monitored Performance Characteristics.

Preferably,

Described first circuit module is used to monitor the Performance Characteristics of the 3rd electronic equipment of described integrated circuit outside; And

Described second circuit module, the information of monitored Performance Characteristics that is used to handle the described first and the 3rd electronic equipment is to determine this power control information.

According to an aspect of the present invention, provide a kind of method of controlling the electric power of first electronic equipment that offers this integrated circuit outside in first integrated circuit, this method comprises:

Monitor the Performance Characteristics of this first electronic equipment;

Determine power control information based on described monitored Performance Characteristics at least in part; And

Exchange at least a portion of described definite power control information with second electronic equipment of the described first integrated circuit outside.

Preferably, described second electronic equipment comprises provides the power supply circuit of electric power to first electronic equipment.

Preferably, described Performance Characteristics comprises that processing speed, temperature, energy consumption and error rate are one of at least.

Preferably, described definite power control information comprises the information of described monitored Performance Characteristics.

Preferably, described definite power control information comprises the power adjustments information about the variation in the monitored Performance Characteristics.

Preferably, described method further comprises:

Monitor the Performance Characteristics of the 3rd electronic equipment; And

The information of monitored Performance Characteristics of handling the described first and the 3rd electronic equipment is to determine this power control information.

Preferably, the information of the monitored Performance Characteristics of described processing comprise the priority separately of analyzing the described first and the 3rd electronic equipment and separately performance demand one of at least.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the structural representation according to the exemplary Properties Control system of various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is the structural representation according to the exemplary power control system of various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is the process flow diagram according to the method for the exemplary control performance of various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is the process flow diagram according to the method for the exemplary power controlling of various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is the structural representation according to the exemplary Properties Control system of various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is the structural representation according to the exemplary power control system of various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is the process flow diagram according to the method for the exemplary control performance of various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is the process flow diagram according to the method for the exemplary power controlling of various aspects of the present invention.

Embodiment

Fig. 1 shows the diagram according to the exemplary Properties Control system 100 of various aspects of the present invention.This exemplary system 100 comprises integrated circuit 110, and it receives electric power 115.This integrated circuit 110 comprises the characteristic of any a large amount of various integrated circuit.For example and be not limited to, this integrated circuit 110 can comprise signal processing circuit, microprocessor, special IC, programmable logic array, memory circuit, multi-chip module, microcontroller, or the like.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to a kind of characteristic of specific integrated circuit type.

Below discussion often use term " module " or " circuit module " to describe a circuit or an electronic circuit of carrying out a kind of function.It must be considered to be in hardware, software or its module in conjunction with interior execution.Must notice that equally the various piece of module can be shared.For example, first module and second module can be shared various hardware elements and/or software rules.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to any border that intermodule was carried out or passed through to specific modules.

Exemplary integrated circuit 110 comprises first circuit module 120, and it receives electronic power 121, and utilizes this electronic power 121 to carry out a kind of function.This electronic power 121 can be as identical or inequality with the electronic power 115 that receives by integrated circuit 110.For example, this electronic power 121 that is received by first circuit module 120 electronic power 115 that can receive relevant for (as originating from) integrated circuit 110 or for independently.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention is not limited to be integrated the characteristic of any particular kind of relationship between circuit 110, first circuit module 120 or any other module or electronic power that element received.

This first circuit module 120 comprises the characteristic of any a large amount of various circuit modules.Such as but not limited to, this first circuit module 120 can comprise signal processing module, microprocessor module, special module, programmable logic array, memory module, a plurality of continuous submodule, micro controller module or the like.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the characteristic of particular electrical circuit module type.

This exemplary system 100 comprises second circuit module 130.This exemplary second circuit module 130 comprises first submodule 132 and second submodule 134.This second circuit module 130 is such as but not limited to the execution of the characteristic that comprises monitoring module or integrated circuit and transmit Network Performance Monitor module about the information of this supervisory control action.

This first submodule 132 can be as at least a Performance Characteristics of monitoring ic 110.Again for example, this first submodule 132 can be monitored at least a Performance Characteristics of first circuit module 120.But note at least a Performance Characteristics of other module of these first submodule, 132 monitoring ics 110, first circuit module 120 and/or integrated circuit 110.

The monitored Performance Characteristics of the integrated circuit 110 or first circuit module 120 comprises the Performance Characteristics of any various circuit.Such as but not limited to, this Performance Characteristics can comprise operating speed (as, processing speed, data pass rate, time delay, response time, communication rate, or the like).Also for example, this Performance Characteristics can comprise operating temperature.Further for example, this Performance Characteristics comprises the measurement of energy consumption or efficient.Still further for example, this Performance Characteristics can comprise error rate or noise level.Generally, this Performance Characteristics comprises any various circuit performance characteristic.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to any particular electrical circuit Performance Characteristics.

Should be noted that this first submodule 132 can be integrated circuit 110 and the first circuit module 120 one or more Performance Characteristics of a plurality of functional characters monitoring one of at least.For example, this first circuit module 120 can be carried out a plurality of discrete functionality, the Performance Characteristics that first submodule 132 can be monitored.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the quantity of the specific quantity or the relevant functional character of monitored Performance Characteristics.

Notice first submodule 132 can utilize any a large amount of various known or still developing equipment or mechanism (as, performance sensors, detector, hardware, software, or the like) with the monitoring performance characteristic.Such as but not limited to, first submodule 132 can utilize be combined in first circuit module 120 or other be arranged in the performance sensors of module of integrated circuit 110 or other combined circuit (as, shown in dotted line 105) monitor the performance of first circuit module 120 or integrated circuit 110.Also for example, first submodule 132 can with first circuit module 120 (as, pass through communication linkage, and handle this performance data as directed link 107) or the part switching performance data of integrated circuit 110, to determine the one or more particular performance characteristics of first circuit module 120 or integrated circuit 110.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to specific equipment or the mechanism that is used to monitor various Performance Characteristicses.

First submodule 132 of at least one Performance Characteristics of the monitoring ic 110 and/or first circuit module 120 is for example understood by this exemplary system 100.This first submodule 132 is at least one Performance Characteristics of other circuit module of monitoring ic 110 for example also, and for example clearly, it is not included among Fig. 1.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the circuit module by the specific quantity of first submodule, 132 monitoring performance characteristics.

The second circuit module 130 of exemplary integrated circuit 110 can comprise second submodule 134, its by communication be connected to first submodule 132, and with communicate by the relevant tertiary circuit module 140,140 ' of at least one Performance Characteristics of first submodule, 132 monitoring.As shown in Figure 1, tertiary circuit module 140,140 ' can be the tertiary circuit module 140 that is integrated in the integrated circuit 110, or is the tertiary circuit module 140 ' of integrated circuit 110 outsides.Below discussion can with reference to or tertiary circuit module 140 or tertiary circuit module 140 '.This exemplary reference is never meaned and is interpreted as tertiary circuit module 140,140 ' each side are limited to inside or external position with respect to integrated circuit 110.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to tertiary circuit module 140,140 ' ad-hoc location.

Second submodule 134 can with tertiary circuit module 140,140 ' exchange message.This information for example comprises the information of described at least one monitored Performance Characteristics.Under an exemplary situation, 132 monitoring of first submodule are about the Performance Characteristics of first circuit module 120 of operating speed, and second submodule 134 can exchange and the monitored relevant information of operating speed with tertiary circuit module 140,140 '.For example, this information can comprise the information of describing monitored operating speed (relative or absolute).This information can as the information that comprises relative low-res (as, the threshold comparison instruction of a bit) or relatively the information of high-res (as, each nanosecond operating speed resolution).This information can be as comprising the information that is showed in the analog or digital signal.

Also for example, second submodule 134 can comprise the information of property regulation information with 140, the 140 ' exchange of tertiary circuit module.This property regulation information can be as comprising property regulation request or property regulation order.This property regulation information comprises request or the order by relative quantity or absolute quantity regulating performance.Under an exemplary situation, first submodule, 132 monitoring energy efficiency characteristics, this second submodule 134 can be sent to information the tertiary circuit module 140,140 ' that this energy efficiency levels of indication should be increased.Under another exemplary situation, these first submodule, 132 policer operation temperature, this second submodule 134 can be sent to information the tertiary circuit module 140,140 ' that this operating temperature of indication should be increased (or alternatively, this operating temperature should be lowered).

The complicacy of this second submodule 134 can fully change.For example, under the first exemplary situation, this second submodule 134 can comprise a plurality of signal Processing electronic circuits, each carry out a signal Processing or communication operation (as, A/D conversion, data processing, packing data, single worker or duplex data communication, or the like).Under the second exemplary situation, second submodule 134 can comprise the information of a minimum path (as lead or light-path) to obtain by first submodule 132.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the characteristic of the module complicacy of specific degrees.

As previously mentioned, this first submodule 132 a plurality of functional characters of can be a plurality of circuit modules are monitored a plurality of Performance Characteristicses.Therefore, this second submodule 134 can with the information of tertiary circuit module 140,140 ' 132 exchange about any, some or all of such monitored Performance Characteristicses.

Generally, this second submodule can be communicated by letter with the tertiary circuit module 140,140 ' of at least one Performance Characteristics that is relevant to 132 monitoring of first submodule.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the characteristic of the particular type of information that is relevant to a monitored Performance Characteristics that a specific Performance Characteristics that is monitored maybe can be transmitted.

This tertiary circuit module 140 is such as but not limited to comprising a power controller module.For example, tertiary circuit module 140 can be handled the information that receives from second submodule 134 to determine to be used to the power control information of power controlling supply circuit.Tertiary circuit module 140 can be handled received information to determine power control information with any the whole bag of tricks.

Such as but not limited to, tertiary circuit module 140 comparabilities can information and performance objective information.Whether tertiary circuit module 140 can reach performance objective as determining first circuit module 120 or integrated circuit 110.This performance objective can be such as but not limited to comprising the target that is relevant to processing speed, response time, operating temperature, energy consumption, energy efficiency, error rate, data throughput or the like.

Whether tertiary circuit module 140 confirmabilitys can regulate and be supposed to.How many property regulation are tertiary circuit module 140 can also as define is supposed to.This determine can be as comprising the various performance objectives of balance, and it can be and replenishes or relevant on the contrary.Then, tertiary circuit module 140 can be as making performance or performance change and various power supply characteristic interrelated.Tertiary circuit module 140 can be as determining power control request or command signal, with other circuit communication, wherein this request or command signal are designed to supply characteristic by one or more power control are provided.

Under an exemplary situation, tertiary circuit module 140 can be handled the information from the monitored Performance Characteristics of second submodule 134, and determine that when data processing speed has surpassed minimum data processing speed target fully energy consumption has surpassed ceiling capacity and consumed target.Then, tertiary circuit module 140 can be reduced to ceiling capacity with energy consumption as the reduction meeting of determining 2% in the power supply voltage levvl and consume under the target, and provides data processing speed still to be in maximum data processing speed target or on it.

Under another exemplary situation, the information that tertiary circuit module 140 is handled from the monitored Performance Characteristics of second submodule 134, and determine that this operating temperature is on the maximum temperature target when the garble rate is lower than maximum error rate target fully.Then, tertiary circuit module 140 can make operating temperature be reduced under the maximum temperature target as 1.5% the minimizing of determining power supply voltage levvl, and still satisfies the error rate target.

Under further exemplary situation, the information that tertiary circuit module 140 is handled from the monitored Performance Characteristics of second submodule 134, and definite energy efficiency target suitably is satisfied, and the data pass rate target is because the instability of power supply voltage and not satisfying.Then, tertiary circuit module 140 determines that power supply switching rate rising 20% can be reduced to voltage quantities under the acceptable maximum horizontal, and still satisfies the energy efficiency target.

As stating, tertiary circuit module 140 (140 ') can be positioned at the inside or the outside of integrated circuit 110 as preceding.Under an exemplary situation, tertiary circuit module 140 is positioned at the inside of integrated circuit 110, this tertiary circuit module 140 can receive the information that is relevant to from least one monitored Performance Characteristics of second submodule 134, and handles this information to determine power adjustments request (or order).Then, this power adjustments request of determining of tertiary circuit module 140 transmission to power supply circuit changes the various aspects of the electric power of supply to require this power supply circuit.

Under another exemplary situation, tertiary circuit module 140 ' is positioned at the outside of integrated circuit 110, this tertiary circuit module 140 ' can receive be relevant to from integrated circuit 110 (as, derive from second submodule 134) the information of at least one monitored Performance Characteristics, and handle this information to determine power adjustment commands (or request).Then, this tertiary circuit module 140 ' transmits this power adjustment commands of determining to power supply circuit and changes the various aspects of the electric power of supply to cause the power supply circuit.

Under further exemplary situation, tertiary circuit module 140 ' is positioned at the outside of integrated circuit 110 and is positioned at the inside of power supply integrated circuit, the tertiary circuit module 140 ' of this power supply integrated circuit can receive be relevant to from integrated circuit 110 (as, derive from second submodule 134) the information of at least one monitored Performance Characteristics, and handle this information to determine the power adjustments signal.Then, the tertiary circuit module 140 ' of exemplary power supply integrated circuit utilizes this power adjustments information to change the various aspects of the electric power of this power supply integrated circuit output to cause this power supply integrated circuit.

Generally, this tertiary circuit module 140,140 ' can be positioned at the inside of integrated circuit 110, can be positioned at integrated circuit 110, the outside of the part of integrated circuit, power supply integrated circuit independently, or the like.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to a specific modules position or integrated characteristic.

As previously mentioned, tertiary circuit module 140 receives the information of the one or more monitored Performance Characteristics of a plurality of modules and/or integrated circuit.The information of handling this reception is with in the process of determining power supply control information, and this tertiary circuit module 140 can any a large amount of the whole bag of tricks be handled the information of this reception.

For example but be not limited to, this tertiary circuit module 140 can be adjudicated between various modules and/or integrated circuit.This judgement can be as comprising performance objective separately or the demand of considering a plurality of modules and/or integrated circuit.This judgement can be as comprising the priority separately of considering a plurality of modules and/or integrated circuit.For example, this judgement comprises according to the performance objective or the demand of limit priority module and determines power control information.Also for example, this judgement comprises based on priority basis or Demand Base weighted mean value and determines power control information.Generally, this judgement is included between the performance requirement of various modules and/or integrated circuit and adjudicates.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the characteristic of specific arbitration schemes.

This tertiary circuit module 140 is sent to power control information the power supply circuit of electric power to integrated circuit 110, first circuit module 120 or other circuit module or integrated circuit is provided.This power control information can be as the control signal of the operation that comprises direct power controlling supply circuit.This power control information can be as comprising power supply request or order, and it can be explained by the power supply circuit that receives this request or order and handle.This power control information can be as comprising any various information of the monitored performance that is relevant to integrated circuit 110, first circuit module 120, other circuit module or other integrated circuit or the like.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the specific purpose of this power control information.

Exemplary system 100 shown in Figure 1 and previously discussed only is exemplary, and is the non-limiting part that is used to illustrate various aspects of the present invention.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention never should be limited to the characteristic of example system 100.

Fig. 2 shows the exemplary power control system 200 according to various aspects of the present invention.The various features of exemplary system 100 shown in Figure 1 and previously discussed for example but without limits, are shared by this exemplary system 200.

This exemplary system 200 comprises the integrated circuit 210 that can receive electric power 215,245.The each several part of this exemplary integrated circuit 210 for example, can be shared the various features of the exemplary integrated circuit 110 of system 100 shown in Figure 1 and previously discussed.

This exemplary system 200 comprises provides the power supply circuit 280 of electric power 215,245 to integrated circuit 210.This exemplary power supply circuit 280 comprises first power output module 282 of electromotive power output 215 to integrated circuit 210 and/or one or more its modules.This power supply circuit 280 can be as comprising second power output module 284 of electromotive power output 245 to integrated circuit 210 and/or one or more its modules.Attention can be as being the output from second power output module 284 from second power of power supply circuit 280 output 245, or (as indicated by a dotted line) from the output of first power output module 282.Therefore, second power output 245 from power supply circuit 280 can be relevant or independent with first power output 215.

This exemplary power supply circuit 280 is as comprising control interface module 286, and by this control interface module 286, the electronic equipment of these power supply circuit 280 outsides can communicate with power supply circuit 280.Such as but not limited to, the electronic equipment of these power supply circuit 280 outsides can use this control interface module 286 and power supply circuit 280 exchange power control informations.

This power supply circuit 280 comprises any a large amount of various power supply circuit characteristics.Such as but not limited to, this power supply circuit 280 can be an independently power supply integrated circuit.This power supply circuit 280 can be as comprising initiatively discrete and passive electronic component.This power supply circuit 280 can be as comprising one or more linearities or dead-band regulator.Also for example, this power supply circuit 280 comprise the power switched supply circuit (as, a step-down, boost, buck or boost formula or charge pump construction).This power supply circuit 280 can be as comprising simulation, numeral or hybrid circuit.This power supply circuit 280 can be as comprising one or more independent may command output.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the characteristic of the particular type of power supply circuit.

This exemplary integrated circuit 210 comprises first circuit module 220 that receives electric power 221.This first circuit module 220 such as but not limited to, share the various characteristics of the first exemplary circuit module 120 of system 100 shown in Figure 1 and previously discussed.

Similarly, this exemplary integrated circuit 210 comprises second circuit module 230.This second circuit module 230 is such as but not limited to the various characteristics of the exemplary second circuit module 130 of sharing system 100 shown in Figure 1 and previously discussed.

Further, this exemplary integrated circuit 210 comprises tertiary circuit module 240.This tertiary circuit module 240 is such as but not limited to the various characteristics of the exemplary tertiary circuit module 140 of sharing system 100 shown in Figure 1 and previously discussed.

This exemplary integrated circuit 210 comprises the 4th circuit module 250 that receives electric power.The 4th circuit module 250 is such as but not limited to the various characteristics of sharing first circuit module 220.

Can be by the electric power 251 that the 4th circuit module 250 receives as identical or different with the electric power 245 that receives by integrated circuit 210.For example, the electric power 251 that is received by the 4th circuit module 250 is relevant to electric power 245 or the independence that (as deriving from) received by integrated circuit 210.Also for example, the electric power 251 that is received by the 4th circuit module 250 is relevant to electric power 215 that is received by integrated circuit 210 or electric power 221 or the independence that is received by first circuit module 220.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to electric power 221,251 that the electric power 215,245, first circuit module 220 and the 4th circuit module 250 that are received by integrated circuit 210 receive or the electric power that receives by other any module or element between the characteristic of any relation.

The 4th circuit module 250 can be as comprising the characteristic of any a large amount of various circuit modules.Such as but not limited to, the 4th circuit module 250 comprises signal processing module, microprocessor module, special module, programmable logic array, memory module, a plurality of continuous submodule, micro controller module, or the like.Correspondingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the characteristic of particular electrical circuit module type.

This exemplary system 200 comprises the 5th circuit module 260.The 5th circuit module 260 is such as but not limited to the various characteristics of sharing second circuit module 230.

For example, the 5th circuit module 260 comprises first submodule 262 and second submodule 264.The 5th circuit module 260 such as but not limited to, comprise the Performance Characteristics of monitoring module or integrated circuit and the executive monitor module of the information that transmission is relevant to this supervisory control action.

First submodule 262 can be as at least one Performance Characteristics of monitoring ic 210.Also for example, first submodule 262 can be monitored at least one Performance Characteristics of other module of the 4th circuit module 250 and/or integrated circuit 210.But note at least one Performance Characteristics of these first submodule, 262 monitoring ics 210 and/or the 4th circuit module 250.

Should be noted that this first submodule 262 can be the one or more Performance Characteristics of a plurality of function monitors by at least one execution of integrated circuit 210 and the 4th circuit module 250.For example, the 4th circuit module 250 is carried out a plurality of discrete functionality, the Performance Characteristics of first submodule, 262 monitoring.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the quantity of the specific quantity or the relevant functional character of monitored Performance Characteristics.

Notice, because first submodule 232,132 comes into question in front, this first submodule 262 can utilize any a large amount of various known or still developing equipment or mechanism (as, performance sensors, detector, hardware, software, or the like) with the monitoring performance characteristic.Such as but not limited to, first submodule 262 can utilize be combined in first circuit module 120 or other be arranged in performance sensors of module of integrated circuit 110 or other circuit (as, shown in dotted line 206) monitor the performance of the 4th circuit module 250 or integrated circuit 210.Also for example, first submodule 262 and the 4th circuit module 250 (as, pass through communication linkage, and handle this performance data as directed link 208) or the part switching performance data of integrated circuit 210, to determine the one or more particular performance characteristics of the 4th circuit module 250 or integrated circuit 110.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to specific equipment or the method that is used to monitor various Performance Characteristicses.

First submodule 262 of at least one Performance Characteristics of monitoring ic 210 and/or the 4th circuit module 250 is for example understood by this exemplary system 200.At least one Performance Characteristics that this first submodule 262 is gone back as other circuit module of monitoring ic 210.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the circuit module by the specific quantity of first submodule, 262 monitoring performance characteristics.

The 5th circuit module 260 of exemplary system 100 comprises second submodule 264, its by communication be connected to first submodule 262, and with communicate by the relevant tertiary circuit module 240 of at least one Performance Characteristics of first submodule, 262 monitoring.As shown in Figure 2, tertiary circuit module 240 can be positioned at the inside of integrated circuit 210.Yet this tertiary circuit module 240 does not need to be positioned at the inside of integrated circuit 210.The scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the ad-hoc location of tertiary circuit module 240.

Second submodule 264 and tertiary circuit module 240 exchange messages.This information can be as comprising the information of the Performance Characteristics that at least one is monitored.Under an exemplary situation, 262 monitoring of first submodule are relevant to the Performance Characteristics of the 4th circuit module 250 of operating speed, and second submodule 264 can exchange and the monitored relevant information of operating speed with tertiary circuit module 240.For example, this information can comprise the information of describing monitored operating speed (relative or absolute).This information can as the information that comprises relative low-res (as, the threshold comparison instruction of a bit) or relatively the information of high-res (as, each nanosecond operating speed resolution).

Also for example, second submodule 264 can comprise the information of property regulation information with 240 exchanges of tertiary circuit module.This property regulation information can be as comprising property regulation request or property regulation order.This property regulation information comprises request or the order by relative quantity or absolute quantity regulating performance.Under an exemplary situation, first submodule, 262 monitoring energy efficiency characteristics, this second submodule 264 is sent to the tertiary circuit module 240 that this energy efficiency levels of indication should be increased with information.Under another exemplary situation, these first submodule, 262 policer operation temperature, this second submodule 264 can be sent to information the tertiary circuit module 240 that this operating temperature of indication should be increased (or alternatively, this operating temperature should be lowered).

As previously mentioned, a plurality of Performance Characteristicses of a plurality of functions of a plurality of circuit modules of these first submodule, 262 monitoring.Therefore, this second submodule 264 can with the information of tertiary circuit module 240 exchange about any, some or all of such monitored Performance Characteristicses.

Generally, this second submodule 264 can the tertiary circuit module 240 relevant with at least one Performance Characteristics of being monitored by first submodule 262 communicate.Therefore, the scope of the various aspects of the present invention characteristic about the information of the particular type of a monitored Performance Characteristics that should not be limited to a specific monitored Performance Characteristics or be transmitted.

As previously mentioned, this exemplary system 200 comprise tertiary circuit module 240, the second submodules 264 can with exchange about the information of at least one monitored Performance Characteristics.Equally as previously mentioned, tertiary circuit module 240 can be positioned at the inside of integrated circuit 210, and perhaps this tertiary circuit module can be positioned at the outside of integrated circuit 210.Following discussion generally relates to the situation that this tertiary circuit module 240 is positioned at integrated circuit 210 inside.This exemplary discussion means that never the each side with tertiary circuit module 240 is limited to the interior location with respect to integrated circuit 110.

For example but be not limited to, this tertiary circuit module 240 comprises the power controller module.For example, tertiary circuit module 240 can handle be received in second submodule 264 information to determine to be used to the power control information of power controlling supply circuit.As the discussion of front for the exemplary tertiary circuit module 140 of Fig. 1, this tertiary circuit module 240 can be handled received information to determine power control information with any variety of way.

Under an exemplary situation, tertiary circuit module 240 receives the information that is relevant to from least one monitored Performance Characteristics of second submodule 264, and handles this information to determine power adjustments request (or order).Then, this power adjustments request of determining of tertiary circuit module 240 transmission to power supply circuit changes the various aspects of the electric power of supply to require this power supply circuit.For example, tertiary circuit module 240 can with the power adjustments request by control interface module 286 be sent to first power output module 282 of power supply circuit 280 and second power output module 284 one of at least.Then, power supply circuit 280 by the characteristic of regulating one or more electric power outputs from power supply circuit 280 in response to this power adjustments request that is transmitted (or order).

As previously mentioned, tertiary circuit module 240 receives the information that is relevant to one or more monitored Performance Characteristicses of a plurality of modules and/or integrated circuit.In handling the process of received information with definite power supply control information, tertiary circuit module 240 can be handled the information that receives by any a large amount of the whole bag of tricks.

Such as but not limited to, tertiary circuit module 240 can be adjudicated between various modules and/or integrated circuit.This judgement can be as comprising performance objective separately or the demand of considering a plurality of modules and/or integrated circuit.This judgement can be as comprising the priority separately of considering a plurality of modules and/or integrated circuit.For example, this judgement comprises the power control information of determining according to the performance objective or the demand of limit priority module.Also for example, this judgement comprises based on priority basis or Demand Base weighted mean value and determines power control information.

Under an exemplary situation, tertiary circuit module 240 can receive about from second submodule 234 of second circuit module 230 and from the information of the monitored Performance Characteristics of second submodule 264 of the 5th circuit module 260.Under this exemplary situation, tertiary circuit module 240 is determined the performance objective of first circuit modules 220 or performance objective or the demand that demand exceeds the 4th circuit module 250, and determines based on the power supply control information of the performance objective of first circuit module 220 or demand and about the information from the monitored Performance Characteristics of second submodule 230.

Alternatively, for example, under an exemplary situation, tertiary circuit module 240 determines that the performance objective or the demand of first circuit modules 220 and the 4th circuit module 250 are identical, and determines power supply control information based on the identical performance objective of first circuit module 220 or demand with from the performance objective of the monitored Performance Characteristics of second circuit module 230 and the 4th circuit module 250 or demand with from the monitored Performance Characteristics of the 5th circuit module 260.

Generally, this judgement comprises the performance objective of various modules or the judgement between demand.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the characteristic of a specific arbitration schemes.

Tertiary circuit module 240 is sent to power control information the power supply circuit 280 of electric power to integrated circuit 210, first circuit module 220, the 4th circuit module 250 or other circuit module or integrated circuit is provided.This tertiary circuit module 240 can be as being sent to power supply circuit 280 by control interface module 286 with power control information.

This power control information can be as the control signal of the operation that comprises direct power controlling supply circuit 280 (as first power output module 282 and/or second power output module 284).This power control information can be as comprising power supply request or order, and it can be explained by power supply circuit 280 and handle.Generally, this power control information can be as comprising any various information of the monitored performance that is relevant to integrated circuit 210, first circuit module 220, the 4th circuit module 250, other circuit module, integrated circuit or the like.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the feature of certain power control information or the specific purpose of this power control information.

Exemplary system 200 shown in Figure 2 and previously discussed only is exemplary, and is the non-limiting part that is used to illustrate various aspects of the present invention.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention never should be limited to the characteristic of example system 200.

The for example clear exemplary control manner of execution 330 according to various aspects control performance of the present invention of Fig. 3 (as, in an integrated circuit).This exemplary method 300 such as but not limited to share about Fig. 1-2 functional various characteristics of being discussed of illustrational exemplary system 100,200.

This exemplary method 300 starts from step 310.This exemplary method 300 (any method described herein) starts from the response of any a large amount of a variety of causes and condition.Such as but not limited to, when the system of a positive manner of execution 300 was activated, this method 300 automatically began.Alternatively, for example, method 300 starts from the response of clear and definite initiation command (as the order from another module or user in the system).Further for example, method 300 starts from surveying the response of service condition.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the characteristic of any specific beginning incident or condition.

Exemplary method 300 comprises monitoring ic and integrated circuit on step 320 first circuit module at least one Performance Characteristics one of at least.Can share various functional performance that first submodule 132 of exemplary system 100 shown in Figure 1 and previously discussed is carried out such as but not limited to, step 320.

The integrated circuit and/or first circuit module comprise any a large amount of various integrated circuit or module performance.Such as but not limited to, this integrated circuit or module comprise signal processing circuit, microcontroller circuit, special IC, programmable logic array, memory circuit, multi-chip module circuit, microcontroller circuit, or the like.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to a kind of specific integrated circuit or the performance of module type.

As previously mentioned, the monitored Performance Characteristics of the integrated circuit or first module comprises any various circuit performance characteristic.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the Performance Characteristics of any particular electrical circuit.

Should be noted that the one or more Performance Characteristics of first circuit module that exemplary step 320 comprises monitoring ic and integrated circuit one or more functional character one of at least.For example, first circuit module can be carried out a plurality of functions, and the Performance Characteristics of its step 320 comprises monitoring.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the monitored Performance Characteristics of specific quantity or the quantity of functional character.

Equally, step 320 comprises at least one Performance Characteristics of other circuit module of monitoring this integrated circuit.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the circuit module that its step 32 comprises the specific quantity of monitoring at least one Performance Characteristics.

Exemplary method 300 comprises on step 330 and the information of tertiary circuit module exchange about at least one monitored Performance Characteristics.This tertiary circuit module can be as comprising IC interior or circuit external.Share various functional performance that second submodule 134 of exemplary system 100 shown in Figure 1 and previously discussed is carried out such as but not limited to, step 330.

The tertiary circuit module comprises any a large amount of various circuit features.The characteristic that comprises the tertiary circuit module 140 (140 ') of exemplary system 100 shown in Figure 1 and previously discussed such as but not limited to, this tertiary circuit module.Also for example, this tertiary circuit module comprises the tertiary circuit module 240 of exemplary system 200 shown in Figure 2 and previously discussed and/or the characteristic of control interface module 286.

For example, this tertiary circuit module comprises the power controller module.This power controller module is as independent circuits module or stand-alone integrated circuit.This power controller module is an element as power supply circuit (as, power supply integrated circuit).This tertiary circuit module can provide the power supply circuit of power to first circuit module of integrated circuit and/or integrated circuit as comprising.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the feature of a particular electrical circuit module.

The information that is relevant at least one monitored Performance Characteristics comprises any a large amount of information type.Such as but not limited to, this information comprises the information of the performance that at least one is monitored.Under a kind of exemplary situation, step 320 comprises the operating speed characteristic of monitoring ic, and step 330 comprises and the information of tertiary circuit module exchange about monitored operating speed.For example, this information can comprise the information of describing monitored operating speed (relative or absolute).This information can as the information that comprises relative low-res (as, the threshold comparison instruction of a bit) or relatively the information of high-res (as, nanosecond operating speed resolution).This information can be as comprising the information that is showed in the analog or digital form.

Also for example, step 330 comprises the information that comprises property regulation information with the exchange of tertiary circuit module.This property regulation information can be as the request that comprises property regulation or the order of property regulation.This property regulation information comprises request or the order by relative populations or absolute quantity adjusting function.Under an exemplary situation, step 320 comprises monitoring energy efficiency feature, step 330 comprise with information be sent to the indication energy efficiency levels should be increased (as, by an increment or a specific quantity) the tertiary circuit module.Under another exemplary situation, step 320 comprises the policer operation temperature characterisitic, and step 330 comprises that information is sent to the indication operating temperature should be increased the tertiary circuit module of (or alternatively, operating temperature should be lowered).

Step 330 can determine that transmission information is to the tertiary circuit module as also comprising.Thisly determine on complicacy, can change fully.For example, under the first exemplary situation, step 330 comprises the signal Processing of carrying out an array and/or information communication action (as, A/D conversion, data processing, packing data, single worker or duplex data communication, or the like).Under the second exemplary situation, step 330 can comprise and only is transmitted in the information that step 320 obtains.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the information processing of specific degrees or the characteristic of communication complexity.Determine that the additional illustrative aspects that information is sent to the tertiary circuit module will discuss in the exemplary method 400 of Fig. 4.

As previously mentioned, step 320 a plurality of functional characters of being included as a plurality of circuit modules and/or integrated circuit are monitored a plurality of Performance Characteristicses.Therefore, step 330 comprises and the information of tertiary circuit module 240 exchanges about any, some or all of monitored Performance Characteristicses like this.

Generally, exemplary step 330 comprise with the inside that can be positioned at integrated circuit or outside tertiary circuit module exchange correlation at least one monitored Performance Characteristics of step 320.Therefore, the scope of the various aspects of the present invention information about the particular type of monitored Performance Characteristics that should not be limited to specific monitored Performance Characteristics or be transmitted.

Exemplary method 300 comprises on step 350 carries out continuous processing procedure.This continuous processing procedure 350 can be in the method that discuss in exemplary method 300 and all this places, comprises the characteristic of any various a large amount of various continuous processing procedures.This continuous processing procedure 350 can be as comprising the step formerly that circulates backward with repetition methods 300.This continuous processing procedure 350 can repeat formerly that step advances into waiting status as being included in.Also for example, this continuous processing procedure 350 comprises the additional power control and treatment process of carrying out.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the performance of the continuous handling procedure of particular type.

Fig. 4 for example understands the exemplary power controlling method 400 according to various aspects of the present invention.This exemplary method 400 is such as but not limited to the various characteristics of sharing illustrative methods 300 shown in Figure 3 and previously discussed.Further for example, this exemplary method 400 is shared about-2 and is shown and various functional feature of example system previously discussed 100,200.

First circuit module that this exemplary method 400 comprises monitoring (as, the inside of integrated circuit) integrated circuit and integrated circuit in step 420 at least one Performance Characteristics one of at least.Such as but not limited to, step 420 is shared the various characteristics of the step 320 of illustrative methods 300 shown in Figure 3 and previously discussed.Equally for example, step 420 is shared various functional feature of first submodule, 132 execution of example system 100 shown in Figure 1 and previously discussed, and various functional feature of first submodule, 232 execution of the second circuit module 230 of example system 200 shown in Figure 2 and previously discussed.

Exemplary method 400 comprises at least one Performance Characteristics of the second circuit module of monitoring (as, the inside of integrated circuit) integrated circuit on step 430.For example, though be about the second circuit module rather than first circuit module, step 430 is shared the various characteristics of step 420.

Exemplary method 400 comprises the power control information of the analysis of determining to come from least a portion Performance Characteristics monitored on step 420 and 430 on step 440.Such as but not limited to, step 440 is shared the previously discussed various functional features about the 3rd submodule 240 of second submodule 134 of example system 100 shown in Figure 1 and previously discussed and the 3rd submodule 140 and example system 200 shown in Figure 2 and previously discussed.

This power control information can be as the control signal of the operation that comprises direct power controlling supply circuit.This power control information can be as comprising power supply request or order, and it can be explained by power supply circuit 280 and handle.This power control information can be as comprising any various information that are relevant to the monitored Performance Characteristics of being monitored in step 420 and 430.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the feature of certain power control information.

Step 440 comprises the Performance Characteristics of monitoring by analytical procedure 420 and 430 and determines power control information with any the whole bag of tricks.Such as but not limited to, step 440 is included between various modules and/or integrated circuit and adjudicates.This judgement can be as comprising performance objective separately or the demand of considering a plurality of modules and/or integrated circuit.This judgement can be as comprising the priority separately of considering a plurality of modules and/or integrated circuit.For example, this judgement comprises according to the performance objective or the demand of limit priority module and determines power control information.Also for example, this judgement comprises based on priority basis or Demand Base weighted mean value and determines power control information.

Under an exemplary situation, step 440 comprise processing about first circuit module (as, step 420 is monitored) Performance Characteristics information and about the second circuit module (as, step 430 is monitored) Performance Characteristics information.Under this exemplary situation, step 440 comprises the performance objective of determining first circuit module or performance objective or the demand that demand exceeds the second circuit module, and determines based on the power supply control information of the performance objective of first circuit module or demand and about the information of the Performance Characteristics of first circuit module.

Under another exemplary situation, step 440 comprise processing about first circuit module (as, step 420 is monitored) the information of Performance Characteristics, and about the second circuit module (as, step 430 is monitored) the information of Performance Characteristics.Under this exemplary situation, step 440 comprises the performance objective of determining first circuit module or performance objective or the demand that demand equals the second circuit module, and determine similarly based on the power supply control information of the performance objective of first circuit module or demand and about the information of the Performance Characteristics of first circuit module performance objective of second circuit module or the supply control information of the power of demand and about the information of the Performance Characteristics of second circuit module.

Still under another exemplary situation, step 440 comprise processing about first circuit module (as, step 420 is monitored) the information of Performance Characteristics, and about the second circuit module (as, step 430 is monitored) the information of Performance Characteristics.Under this exemplary situation, step 440 comprises the performance objective of determining first circuit module or performance objective or the demand that demand priority ground is higher than the second circuit module, and determining, and the power of the performance objective of second circuit module or demand supply control information and about the information of the Performance Characteristics of second circuit module based on the power supply control information of the weighted mean value of the priority basis of the performance objective of first circuit module or demand and about the information of the Performance Characteristics of first circuit module.

Generally, exemplary method 440 comprises from determining power control information in the analysis of step 420 and 430 Performance Characteristicses of being monitored.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the characteristic of particular analysis or definite power control information.

Exemplary method 400 comprises power control information (as determined in step 440) is sent on step 450 provides the power supply circuit of electric power to first and second circuit module.Share the various features of the step 330 of exemplary method 300 shown in Figure 3 and previously discussed such as but not limited to, step 450.Also for example, step 450 is shared the performed various functional feature of second submodule 134 of exemplary system 100 shown in Figure 1 and previously discussed and tertiary circuit module 140, and various functional characteristic of the tertiary circuit module 240 of exemplary system 200 shown in Figure 2 and previously discussed.

The exemplary method 400 that discuss the front has disclosed a kind of exemplary example, and it comprises the Performance Characteristics of first and second circuit module of monitoring (or integrated circuit) and is determined to the small part ground power control information based on this monitored Performance Characteristics.The various aspects that should be noted that the example that this is exemplary are easy to extend to the system that comprises any amount of circuit module.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to Performance Characteristics can be monitored and be used to determine the circuit module of the specific quantity of power control information.

Fig. 5 shows the exemplary Properties Control system 500 according to various aspects of the present invention.Share shown in Fig. 1-2 and the various features of exemplary system 100,200 previously discussed such as but not limited to, exemplary system 500.

This exemplary system 500 comprises first electronic equipment 510 that receives electric power 511.This first electronic equipment 510 comprises the performance of any a large amount of various electronic equipments.Such as but not limited to, this first electronic equipment 510 comprises various combinations of signal processing circuit, microprocessor, special IC, programmable logic array, memory circuit, multi-chip module, microcontroller, active and/or passive device or the like.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to a kind of performance of specific electronic equipment set type.

This exemplary system 500 comprises integrated circuit 520.This electronic equipment 510 can be as being positioned at integrated circuit 520 outsides.This integrated circuit 520 comprises first module 522, second module 524 and the three module 526 successively.First module 522 by communication be connected to second module 524, its successively by communication be connected to three module 526.

Such as but not limited to, first module 522 is shared shown in Fig. 1-2 and the various features of first submodule 132,232,262 of example system 100,200 previously discussed.

The first exemplary module 522 can be as comprising monitoring performance characteristic and the transmission Network Performance Monitor module about the information of this supervisory control action.First module 522 can be as monitoring at least one Performance Characteristics of first electronic equipment 510.

As previously mentioned, monitored Performance Characteristics comprises any various circuit performance characteristic.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to a kind of Performance Characteristics of any particular electrical circuit.

Should be noted that first module 522 can be the one or more Performance Characteristics of first electronic equipment, 510 monitoring.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the monitored Performance Characteristics of any specific quantity.

Notice first module 522 can utilize any a large amount of various known or still developing equipment or mechanism (as, performance sensors, detector, hardware, software or the like) with the monitoring performance characteristic.Such as but not limited to, first module 522 can utilize be combined in first electronic equipment 510, second electronic equipment 520 (as, shown in 508) or other be positioned at system 500 module (as, shown in dotted line 509) in a performance sensors or other circuit.Also for example, first module 522 and first electronic equipment, 510 switching performance data, and handle this performance data to determine the one or more particular performance characteristics of first electronic equipment 510.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to and be used to monitor the particular device of various electric power characteristics or the characteristic of method.

First module 522 of at least one Performance Characteristics of monitoring first electronic equipment 510 is for example understood by this exemplary system 500.This first module 522 can be as monitoring at least one Performance Characteristics of other electronic equipment.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to by the equipment of the specific quantity of first module, 522 monitoring performance characteristics.

Exemplary integrated circuit 520 comprises second module, 524, the first modules 522 and the information of its exchange about at least one monitored Performance Characteristics.Such as but not limited to, second module 524 comprises the power controller module.For example, second module 524 is handled Performance Characteristics information from first module 522 to determine power control information, and it can be used to the power controlling supply circuit.Second module 524 can be handled received Performance Characteristics information to determine power control information by any the whole bag of tricks.

Such as but not limited to, second module 524 can be compared monitored performance information with performance objective information.Second module 524 can be as determining whether first electronic equipment 510 (and/or miscellaneous equipment) has reached performance objective.This performance objective such as but not limited to, comprise about processing speed, response time, operating temperature, energy consumption, energy efficiency, error rate, data throughput or the like.

Second module 524 can be as determining whether a property regulation is supposed to.Second module 524 can be to be supposed to as defining how many property regulation.This determine can be as comprising the various performance objectives of balance, and it is for replenishing or oppositely relevant.Then, this second module 524 can be as making performance or performance change and various power supply performance interrelated.Second module 524 can be as determining power control request or command signal, with other circuit communication, wherein this request or command signal are designed to supply characteristic by one or more power control are provided.

Under an exemplary situation, the information that second module 524 is handled from the monitored Performance Characteristics of first module 522, and determine that when data processing speed has surpassed minimum data processing speed target fully energy consumption has surpassed ceiling capacity and consumed target.Then, second module 524 can be reduced to ceiling capacity with energy consumption as the reduction meeting of determining 2% in the power supply voltage levvl and consume under the target, and provides data processing speed still to be in maximum data processing speed target or on it.Second module 524 then can be as determining when handled by the power supply circuit, can cause this power to supply the power control information of 2% reduction of voltage levvl.

Under another exemplary situation, the information that second module 524 is handled from the monitored Performance Characteristics of first module 522, and determine that this operating temperature is on the maximum temperature target when the garble rate is lower than maximum error rate target fully.Then, second module 524 can make operating temperature be reduced under the maximum temperature target as 1.5% the minimizing of determining power supply voltage levvl, and still satisfies the error rate target.Then, second module 524 can be as determining when handled by the power supply circuit, can cause this power to supply the power control information of 1.5% reduction of voltage levvl.

Under further exemplary situation, the information that second module 524 is handled from the monitored Performance Characteristics of first module 522, and definite energy efficiency target suitably is satisfied, and the data pass rate target is because the instability of power supply voltage and not satisfying.Then, second module 524 can be reduced to voltage quantities under the acceptable maximum horizontal as determining power supply switching rate rising 20%, and still satisfies the energy efficiency target.Second module 524 is determined then when being handled by the power supply circuit, can cause the power control information of this power supply switching rate rising 20%.

As preceding as state, second module 524 can receive a plurality of electronic equipments (as, the outside of integrated circuit 520) the information of one or more monitored Performance Characteristicses.Supply in the process of control information to determine power in the information of handling this reception, second module 524 can be handled the information that receives by any a large amount of the whole bag of tricks.

Such as but not limited to, second module 524 can be in various electric room judgements.This judgement can be as comprising performance objective separately or the demand of considering a plurality of electronic equipments.This judgement can be as comprising the priority separately of considering these a plurality of electronic equipments.For example, this judgement comprises according to the performance objective or the demand of limit priority electronic equipment and determines power control information.Also for example, this judgement comprises the power control information of determining based on priority basis or Demand Base weighted mean value.Generally, this judgement is included between the performance objective of various electronic equipments or demand and adjudicates.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the characteristic of specific arbitration schemes.

Three module 526 receives the power control information of being determined by second module 524, and with this power control information be sent to second electronic equipment 530 (as, the outside of integrated circuit 520).This three module 526 such as but not limited to, share Fig. 1-2 and address second submodule 234,264 of second submodule 134 of exemplary system 100 previously discussed and tertiary circuit module 140 and exemplary system 200 and the various features of tertiary circuit module 240.

Second electronic equipment 530 such as but not limited to, comprise power management and/or power supply circuit.Second circuit equipment 530 can be as providing electric power to integrated circuit 520, first electronic equipment 510 or other electronic equipment.Second electronic equipment 530 comprises any various circuit, and therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the characteristic of the electronic equipment of particular type.

Power control information can be as the control signal of the operation that comprises direct power controlling supply circuit.This power control information can be as comprising power supply request or order, and it can be received the power supply decipher and the processing of this request or order.This power control information can be as comprising any various information of the monitored performance that is relevant to first electronic equipment 510 or other electronic equipment.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the feature of specific power control information or the special purpose of this power control information.

The complicacy of this three module 526 can change fully, depends on circuit and/or system architecture.For example, under the first exemplary situation, this three module 526 comprises a plurality of signal Processing electronic circuits, each carry out a signal Processing or communication operation (as, A/D conversion, data processing, packing data, single worker or duplex data communication or the like).Under the second exemplary situation, three module 526 comprises the information of a minimum path (as lead or light-path) to determine by second module 524.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the characteristic of the module complicacy of specific degrees.

Generally, the three module 526 and second electronic equipment 530 communicate, and are positioned at the outside of integrated circuit 520, the power control information that exchange is determined about second module 540.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention is not limited to the characteristic of the information of the particular type that is relevant to monitored Performance Characteristics that specific monitored Performance Characteristics maybe can be transmitted.

The exemplary system 500 that Fig. 5 illustrates and discuss the front only for for example and be the non-limiting part that is used to illustrate various aspects of the present invention.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention never should be limited to the characteristic of exemplary system 500.

Fig. 6 shows the exemplary power control system 600 according to various aspects of the present invention.This exemplary system 600 such as but not limited to, share the various features of exemplary system 500 shown in Figure 5 and previously discussed.

This exemplary system 600 comprises first electronic equipment 610 that receives electric power 611.This exemplary system 600 also comprises second electronic equipment 615 that receives electric power 616.This received electric power 611,616 comprises the electric power that receives as in the input of single power or a plurality of power input end.Such as but not limited to, received electric power is included in the power that a plurality of voltage levvl levels place receives.

First and second electronic equipment 610,615 comprises the feature of any a large amount of various electronic equipments.Such as but not limited to, first and second electronic equipment 610,615 comprises signal processing circuit, microcontroller circuit, special IC, programmable logic array circuit, memory circuit, a plurality of continuous word circuit, microcontroller circuit or the like.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to a kind of performance of particular electrical circuit type.

This exemplary system 600 comprises provides the power supply circuit 640 of electric power 611,616 to first and second electronic equipment 610,615.This exemplary power supply circuit 640 comprises first power output module 642, its electromotive power output 611 to first electronic equipments 610.This exemplary power supply circuit 640 also can be as comprising second power output module 644, its electromotive power output 616 to second electronic equipments 615.Output can be from the output of second power output module 644 or can be the output of (as indicated by dashed line) first power output module 642 from second power of power supply circuit 640 in attention.Therefore, export from the output 616 of second power of power supply circuit 640 and first power 611 relevant or for independently.

This exemplary power supply circuit 640 can be as comprising control interface module 646, and by this control interface module 646, the electronic equipment of power supply circuit 640 outsides can communicate with power supply circuit 640.Such as but not limited to, the electronic equipment of power supply circuit 640 outsides can utilize this control interface module 646 that power control information is sent to power supply circuit 640.

Power supply circuit 640 comprises the performance of any a large amount of various power supply circuits.Such as but not limited to, this power supply circuit 640 can be independently power supply integrated circuit.Power supply circuit 640 can be as comprising initiatively discrete and passive electronic component.Power supply circuit 640 can be as comprising one or more linearities or dead-band regulator.Power supply circuit 640 can as comprise one or more switch regulator circuit (as, about step-down, boost, the circuit of step-down or charge pump construction).This power supply circuit 640 can be as comprising simulation, numeral or hybrid circuit.This power supply circuit 640 can be as comprising one or more independent may command output.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the characteristic of the particular type of power supply circuit.

This exemplary integrated circuit 620 comprises first module 622 of at least one Performance Characteristics of monitoring first electronic equipment 610.This first module 622 is also monitored at least one Performance Characteristics of second electronic equipment 615.First module 622 such as but not limited to, share the various characteristics of first module 522 of exemplary system 500 shown in Figure 5 and previously discussed.

Notice first module 622 can utilize any a large amount of various known or still developing equipment or mechanism (as, performance sensors, detector, hardware, software or the like) with the monitoring performance characteristic.Can utilize such as but not limited to, first module 622 and to be incorporated in first and/or second electronic equipment 610,615, to be incorporated in the integrated circuit 620 (shown in dotted line 608) or a performance sensors or other circuit in other place (shown in dotted line 609) of system 600.Also for example, first module 622 and first and/or second electronic equipment, 610,615 switching performance data, and handle this performance data to determine the one or more particular performance characteristics of first and/or second electronic equipment 610,615.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to and be used to monitor the particular device of various electric power characteristics or the characteristic of method.

This exemplary integrated circuit 620 comprises second module, 324, the first modules 622 and the information of its exchange about at least one monitored Performance Characteristics.This second module 624 such as but not limited to, share the various features of exemplary second module 524 shown in Figure 5 and previously discussed.

Such as but not limited to, this second module 624 comprises the power controller module.For example, second module 624 can be handled the Performance Characteristics information that is received in first module 622 to determine to be used to the power controlling supply circuit power control information of (as, power supply circuit 640).As the discussion of front for the exemplary second circuit module 524 of Fig. 5, second module 624 can be handled the power control information of received information to determine with any the whole bag of tricks.

Second module 624 can be as the information of the one or more monitored Performance Characteristics that receives a plurality of electronic equipments (as, first and/or second electronic equipment 610,615).Following discussion will be with reference to the monitored Performance Characteristics of first and/or second electronic equipment 610,615.Yet, must be noted that this discussion extends in the situation that includes any amount of electronic equipment easily.The information of handling this reception with the process of determining power supply control information in, second module 624 can any a large amount of the whole bag of tricks be handled the information of this reception.

Such as but not limited to, second module 624 can be in first electronic equipment 610 and 615 judgements of second electronic equipment.Discussed the infinite example front of this judgement.This judgement can be as comprising performance objective separately or the demand of considering first electronic equipment 610 and second electronic equipment 615.This judgement can be as comprising the priority separately of considering first electronic equipment 610 and second electronic equipment 615.For example, this judgement comprises according to the performance objective or the demand of limit priority electronic equipment and determines power control information.Also for example, this judgement comprises based on priority basis or Demand Base weighted mean value and determines power control information.Generally, this judgement is included between the performance need of various electronic equipments and adjudicates.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the characteristic of specific arbitration schemes.

Three module 626 receives the power control information of being determined by second module 624, and this power control information is sent in another module in the integrated circuit 620, or in the electronic equipment of integrated circuit 620 outsides.This three module 626 such as but not limited to, share the various characteristics of exemplary three module 526 shown in Figure 5 and previously discussed.

In this exemplary system 600, three module 626 is sent to power supply circuit 640 with power control information, as previously mentioned.Three module 626 can be as the control interface module 646 and power supply circuit 640 exchange power control informations by power supply circuit 640.

Under an exemplary situation, second module 624 receives at least one the monitored power characteristic that is relevant to from first module 622, and handles this information to determine power adjustments request (or order).Then, this power adjustments request of determining of three module 624 transmission to power supply circuit 640 changes each feature of the electric power of supply to require this power supply circuit 640.For example, three module 624 can be sent to first power output module 642 of power supply circuit 640 and second power output module 644 one of at least by control interface module 646 with the power adjustments request.Power supply circuit 640 then can as by the characteristic of regulating one or more electric power outputs from power supply circuit 640 in response to this power adjustments request that is transmitted (or order).

Exemplary system 600 shown in Figure 6 and previously discussed only is exemplary, and is the non-limiting part that is used to illustrate various aspects of the present invention.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention never should be limited to the characteristic of example system 600.

Fig. 7 for example understands the exemplary control manner of execution 700 according to various aspects of the present invention.This exemplary method 700 such as but not limited to, share various functional feature that Fig. 5 and example system shown in Figure 6 and previously discussed 500,600 are carried out.This exemplary method further comprise such as but not limited to, share each characteristic of the illustrative methods 300,400 of Fig. 3 and shown in Figure 4 and aforementioned discussion.

This exemplary method 700 comprises at least one Performance Characteristics of monitoring first electronic equipment (such as but not limited to, the electronic equipment of the outside of the integrated circuit of manner of execution 700) in step 220.Share various functional feature that first module 522 of the example integrated circuit 520 of shown in Figure 5 and aforementioned discussion is carried out such as but not limited to, step 720.

First electronic equipment comprises any a large amount of various circuit characteristics.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the characteristic of specific electronic equipment or circuit types.

As previously mentioned, the monitored Performance Characteristics of electronic equipment comprises any various circuit performance characteristic.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to specific circuit performance characteristic.

Should notice that exemplary step 720 comprises the one or more Performance Characteristics of the one or more functional characters of monitoring first electronic equipment.For example, first electronic equipment can be carried out multiple function, and wherein the feature of step 720 comprises monitoring.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention is not limited to the Performance Characteristics of monitored specific quantity of electronic equipment or the quantity of functional character.

Equally, step 720 comprises at least one Performance Characteristics of monitoring other electronic equipment, and the some of them electronic equipment is positioned at the inside or the outside of integrated circuit.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the specific quantity or the position of electronic equipment, and wherein step 720 comprises at least one Performance Characteristics of monitoring.

Exemplary method 700 comprises in step 730 and is determined to the small part ground power control information based on Performance Characteristics monitored in step 720.Step 730 such as but not limited to, share shown in Fig. 5-6 and various functional feature of second module 524,624 previously discussed.

For example, step 730 comprises the information of the Performance Characteristics that treatment step 720 is monitored, and to determine control information, it can be used to the power controlling supply circuit.Step 730 can be handled this characteristic information as comprising, to determine power control information with any method.

Such as but not limited to, step 730 comprises compares monitored performance information with performance objective information.Step 730 can determine whether first external electronic device (and/or miscellaneous equipment) has reached performance objective as comprising.This performance objective such as but not limited to, comprise about processing speed, response time, operating temperature, energy consumption, energy efficiency, error rate, data throughput or the like.

Step 730 comprises determines whether a property regulation is supposed to.Step 730 can be as comprising that also defining how many property regulation is to be supposed to.This determine can be as comprising the various performance objectives of balance, and it is for replenishing or oppositely relevant.Then, this step 730 can be as making performance or performance change and various power supply performance interrelated.Step 730 can be determined power control request or command signal as comprising, with other circuit communication, wherein this request or command signal are designed to supply characteristic by one or more power control are provided.

Under an exemplary situation, step 730 comprise processing from first electronic equipment (as, monitored in the step 720) the information of monitored Performance Characteristics, and determine that when data processing speed has surpassed minimum data processing speed target basically energy consumption has surpassed ceiling capacity and consumed target.Then, step 730 can be as comprising that the reduction meeting of determining 2% in the power supply voltage levvl be reduced to ceiling capacity with energy consumption and consume under the target, and provide data processing speed still to be in maximum data processing speed target or on it.Then, step 730 can determine when handled by the power supply circuit as comprising, can cause this power to supply the power control information of 2% reduction of voltage levvl.

Under another exemplary situation, step 730 comprise processing from first electronic equipment (as, monitored in the step 720) monitored Performance Characteristics information, and determine that this operating temperature is on the maximum temperature target when the garble rate is lower than the error rate target of maximum fully.Then, step 730 can make operating temperature be reduced under the maximum temperature target as comprising 1.5% the minimizing of determining power supply voltage levvl, and still satisfies the error rate target.Then, step 730 can determine when handled by the power supply circuit as comprising, can cause this power to supply the power control information of 1.5% reduction of voltage levvl.

Under further exemplary situation, step 730 comprise processing from the electronic equipment of first outside (as, monitored in the step 720) the information of monitored Performance Characteristics, and definite energy efficiency target suitably is satisfied, and the data pass rate target is because the instability of power supply voltage and not satisfying.Then, step 730 can determine that power supply switching rate rising 20% can be reduced to voltage quantities under the acceptable maximum horizontal as comprising, and still satisfies the energy efficiency target.Then, step 730 can be determined when being handled by the power supply circuit as comprising, can cause the power control information of this power supply switching rate rising 20%.

Step 730 comprise handle a plurality of electronic equipments (as, monitored in the step 720) characteristic information of one or more monitored Performance Characteristics.Supply in the process of control information to determine power at the handling property characteristic information, step 730 comprises with any a large amount of the whole bag of tricks handles received information.

Such as but not limited to, step 730 is included in various electric room judgements.This judgement can be as comprising performance objective separately or the demand of considering a plurality of electronic equipments.This judgement can be as comprising the priority separately of considering these a plurality of electronic equipments.For example, this judgement comprises according to the performance objective or the demand of limit priority electronic equipment and determines power control information.Also for example, this judgement comprises the power control information of determining based on priority basis or Demand Base weighted mean value.Generally, this judgement is included between the performance objective of various electronic equipments or demand and adjudicates.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the characteristic of specific arbitration schemes.

This exemplary method 700 step 740 comprise with second electronic equipment (such as but not limited to, second electronic equipment is in the outside of first integrated circuit and first electronic equipment) exchange power control information (as determined) in step 730 at least a portion.Step 740 such as but not limited to, share shown in Fig. 5-6 and the various functional characters of three module 526,626 previously discussed.

This second electronic equipment is such as but not limited to comprising power management and/or power supply circuit.Second electronic equipment can be as providing electric power to integrated circuit, first electronic equipment or other electronic equipment.Yet, notice that second electronic equipment needn't be relevant with the power supply circuit.

This power control information can be as the control signal of the operation that comprises direct power controlling supply circuit.This power control information comprises power supply request or order, and it can be received the power supply decipher and the processing of this request or order.This power control information can be as comprising any various information of the monitored performance that is relevant to first electronic equipment, other electronic equipment or the like.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the feature of specific power control information or the special purpose of this power control information.

Step 740 comprises carries out the functional of various complexities.For example, under the first exemplary situation, this step 740 comprises carries out a plurality of signal processing functions, each carry out a signal Processing or communication operation (as, A/D conversion, data processing, packing data, single worker or duplex data communication or the like).Under the second exemplary situation, step 740 comprises and only is transmitted in information to the second electronic equipment that step 730 is determined.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the processing of specific degrees or the characteristic of communication complexity.

Generally, step 740 comprise with second electronic equipment (as, it is positioned at the outside of integrated circuit) exchange correlation is at the determined power control information of step 730.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention is not limited to the characteristic of the information of the special type that is relevant to monitored Performance Characteristics that specific monitored Performance Characteristics maybe can be transmitted.

Fig. 8 for example understands the exemplary power controlling method 800 according to various aspects of the present invention.Exemplary method 800 such as but not limited to, share the various characteristics of exemplary method 700 shown in Figure 7 and previously discussed.Further for example, exemplary method 800 is shared shown in Fig. 5-6 and exemplary system previously discussed 500,600 various functional characteristics previously discussed.

This exemplary method 800 comprises at least one Performance Characteristics of monitoring first electronic equipment (such as but not limited to, the electronic equipment of the outside of the integrated circuit of execution in step 800) in step 820.Such as but not limited to, step 820 is shared the various features of the step 720 of illustrative methods 700 shown in Figure 7 and previously discussed.Equally for example, step 820 is shared shown in Fig. 5-6 and various functional feature of being carried out by first module 522,622 previously discussed.

Exemplary method 800 comprises at least one Performance Characteristics of monitoring second electronic equipment (such as but not limited to, the electronic equipment of the outside of the integrated circuit of execution in step 800) on step 830.Such as but not limited to, though be about second electronic equipment rather than first electronic equipment, step 830 is shared the various features of step 820.

Exemplary method 800 comprises the power control information of the analysis of determining to come from the Performance Characteristics of being monitored on step 820 and 830 on step 840.Such as but not limited to, step 840 is shared the various characteristics of the step 730 of illustrative methods 700 shown in Figure 7 and previously discussed.Equally for example, various functional feature that step 840 is shared shown in Fig. 5-6 and discuss the front of second module 524,624 of exemplary system 500,600 previously discussed.

This power control information can be as the control signal of the operation that comprises direct power controlling supply circuit.This power control information comprises that as power supply request or order it can be received the power supply decipher and the processing of this request or order.This power control information can be as comprising any various information types that are relevant in step 820 and 830 monitored Performance Characteristicses.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the characteristic of certain power control information.

Step 840 comprises by determining power control information with any the whole bag of tricks analytical procedure 820 and 830 Performance Characteristicses of being monitored.Such as but not limited to, step 840 is included in judgement between various electronic equipments (as first and second electronic equipment).This judgement can be as comprising performance objective separately or the needs of considering a plurality of electronic equipments.This judgement can be as comprising the priority separately of considering a plurality of electronic equipments.For example, this judgement comprises according to the performance objective or the demand of limit priority electronic equipment and determines power control information.Also for example, this judgement comprises the power control information of determining based on priority basis or Demand Base weighted mean value.

Under an exemplary situation, step 840 comprise processing about first electronic equipment (as, step 820 is monitored) the information of Performance Characteristics, and about second electronic equipment (as, step 830 is monitored) the information of Performance Characteristics.Under this exemplary situation, step 840 comprises the performance objective of determining first electronic equipment or performance objective or the demand that demand exceeds second electronic equipment, and determines based on the power supply control information of the performance objective of first electronic equipment or demand and about the information of the Performance Characteristics of first electronic equipment.

Under another exemplary situation, step 840 comprise processing about first electronic equipment (as, step 820 is monitored) the information of Performance Characteristics, and about second electronic equipment (as, step 830 is monitored) the information of Performance Characteristics.Under this exemplary situation, step 840 comprises the performance objective of determining first electronic equipment or performance objective or the demand that demand equals second electronic equipment, and determine similarly based on the power supply control information of the performance objective of first electronic equipment or demand and about the information of the Performance Characteristics of first electronic equipment performance objective of second electronic equipment or the supply control information of the power of demand and about the information of the Performance Characteristics of second electronic equipment.

Still under another exemplary situation, step 840 comprise processing about first electronic equipment (as, step 820 is monitored) the information of Performance Characteristics, and about second electronic equipment (as, step 830 is monitored) the information of Performance Characteristics.Under this exemplary situation, step 840 comprises the performance objective of determining first electronic equipment or performance objective or the demand that demand priority ground is higher than second electronic equipment, and determine based on the power supply control information of the weighted mean value of the priority basis of the performance objective of first electronic equipment or demand and about the information of the Performance Characteristics of first electronic equipment performance objective of second electronic equipment or the supply control information of the power of demand and about the information of the Performance Characteristics of second electronic equipment.

Generally, exemplary step 840 comprises from determining power control information in the analysis of step 820 and 830 Performance Characteristicses of being monitored.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the characteristic of particular analysis or definite power control information.

Exemplary method 800 comprises power control information (as determined in step 840) is sent on step 850 provides the power supply circuit of electric power to first and second electronic equipment.Share the various features of the step 740 of exemplary method 700 shown in Figure 7 and previously discussed such as but not limited to, step 850.Also for example, various functional characteristic that step 850 is shared shown in Fig. 5-6 and the three module 526,626 of exemplary system 500,600 previously discussed is carried out.

The exemplary method 800 that discuss the front has disclosed a kind of exemplary example, and it comprises that first and second electronic equipment of monitoring receives the performance of electric power and is determined to the power control information of small part ground based on this monitored Performance Characteristics.The various aspects that should be noted that the example that this is exemplary are easy to extend to the system that comprises any amount of electronic equipment.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the Performance Characteristics of the electric power of reception can be monitored and be used to determine the electronic equipment of the specific quantity of power control information.

The exemplary example that has disclosed various aspects of the present invention noted earlier.Under various situations, aforementioned finger circuit, electronic equipment, module and integrated circuit.These can often be changed mutually.Should be noted can pass through the processor of hardware, executive software instruction to various aspects of the present invention, or its combination and being performed.Further, various aspects of the present invention can be by local module or subsystem or performed by the distributed network of module or subsystem.For example, various aspects of the present invention can be carried out by module or one group of integrated circuit of being integrated in single integrated circuit.Therefore, the scope of various aspects of the present invention is not limited to the characteristic of any specific execution.

In a word, various aspects of the present invention provide a kind of based on the electric power of monitored Performance Characteristics control and/or the system and method for performance row.And some aspect and the embodiment of being referred to described in the invention, those skilled in the art are appreciated that can make various changes and be equal to and replace and do not depart from the scope of the present invention.In addition, can make a lot of changes to be fit to a special situation of the present invention or material and to belong to instruction of the present invention and not depart from the scope of the present invention.Therefore, the present invention is not limited only to this specific embodiment that discloses, but the present invention includes all embodiment that fall in the claims scope.

The cross reference of related application

Present patent application is relevant to and advocates that the temporary patent application sequence number is 60/583,913, the applying date is on June 28th, 2004, name is called the priority of " on-board performance monitor and power control system (ON-BOARDPERFORMANCE MONITOR AND POWER CONTROL SYSTEM) ", by all its content being incorporated into herein with reference to it.

Claims (9)

1, a kind of power control system is characterized in that, described system comprises:

The integrated circuit that comprises first circuit module and second circuit module, wherein, described first circuit module is used to receive electric power and carries out function; And

Described second circuit module further comprises:

First submodule is used to monitor described integrated circuit and described first circuit module one or more Performance Characteristicses one of at least; And

Second submodule is connected to communication described first submodule, is used for the described Performance Characteristics and the tertiary circuit module communication that monitor with regard to described first submodule;

Described one or more Performance Characteristicses that monitor that described tertiary circuit resume module receives from described second submodule and based on priority basis or Demand Base weighted mean value, to determine to be used to the power control information of power controlling supply circuit, wherein, described power supply circuit provides electric power for described integrated circuit.

2, power control system according to claim 1 is characterized in that,

Described second circuit module comprises the Network Performance Monitor module; And

Described tertiary circuit module comprises the power controller module.

3, power control system according to claim 1 is characterized in that, described tertiary circuit module is positioned at the inside or the outside of described integrated circuit.

4, power control system according to claim 1, it is characterized in that the described tertiary circuit module further demand of the performance separately of the priority separately by analyzing a plurality of modules and/or a plurality of modules is handled the Performance Characteristics information that received to determine power control information.

5, Properties Control according to claim 1 system is characterized in that described power control information comprises regulating and controlling request or order.

6, a kind of control offers the method for the electric power of integrated circuit, it is characterized in that, described method comprises:

Receive electric power at the first circuit module place and utilize described electric power to carry out function;

Monitor described integrated circuit and described first circuit module one or more Performance Characteristicses one of at least;

With tertiary circuit module exchange information about the Performance Characteristics that monitors;

The one or more Performance Characteristicses that monitor that handle to receive and based on priority basis or Demand Base weighted mean value to determine to be used to the power control information of power controlling supply circuit, wherein, described power supply circuit provides electric power for described integrated circuit.

7, method according to claim 6 is characterized in that, described method further comprises: monitor the Performance Characteristics of a plurality of circuit modules, described a plurality of circuit modules comprise described first circuit module.

8, method according to claim 7 is characterized in that, the Performance Characteristics that monitors that handle to receive comprises that further the demand of performance separately of the priority separately of analyzing a plurality of modules and/or a plurality of modules is with definite power control information.

9, method according to claim 6 is characterized in that, described power control information comprises regulating and controlling request or order.

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