JPH01112315A - Central processing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To find out abnormal heating by forming a CPU main body and a diode to detect a temperature on the same chip to monitor the temperature change of a chip at all times. CONSTITUTION:A constant current in the forward direction is always supplied on the diode 3 formed on the same chip as the CPU main body 1. A temperature detecting part 5 measures the voltage of the diode 3 in the forward direction, and detects the temperature of the chip, and an abnormality decision part 6 decides whether the temperature arrives at an abnormal temperature area decided in advance, and when it is, a signal representing abnormality is outputted. And an input/output control part 7 decides a timing for holding or a time to be held, and holds access to an external device 8. In such a way, it is possible to sense the temperature change of the chip immediately and accurately, and to perform a processing for a fault rapidly and to apply detailed control on a cooling system, etc.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] Industrial applications The present invention relates to a central processing unit.

BACKGROUND ART An example of a conventional configuration is shown in FIG. Conventionally, when measuring the temperature to detect an abnormality in the central processing unit (hereinafter abbreviated as CPU), a temperature sensor 1° is installed near the CPH package 9 or the CPU package 9.
or to measure the temperature of the air. The temperature is input to a monitoring unit 11 that monitors the status of the power supply voltage, cooling system, etc., detects abnormalities, and takes measures according to the situation. If a malfunction occurs and more heat is generated than normal, and the temperature reaches an abnormal temperature predetermined in the experiment, a warning will be issued by displaying a message on the terminal, or the CPH will stop operating. are being treated.

However, with the increasing performance and integration of CPUs,
In the current situation where the amount of heat generated is increasing rapidly, if a temperature sensor is installed far from a semiconductor substrate (hereinafter referred to as a chip), an abnormality will occur and the temperature of the chip will rise compared to the speed. , it takes a long time for the temperature sensor to detect a temperature rise.

Also, the cause of abnormal heat generation is not due to a failure of the CPU or cooling system, but rather due to the drive of an external device, for example, when a large amount of access to external memory occurs intensively, increasing power consumption. will also stop the operation of cpυ.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention As described above, in the conventional temperature abnormality detection and control system,
It takes too long for the temperature sensor to detect a rise in temperature, and when an abnormality is detected, the temperature range for which the cpty is guaranteed to operate will be exceeded, or in the worst case, the CPU will break down and become completely unusable.

Furthermore, stopping the operation of the CPH even in the case of temporary heat generation rather than abnormality is wasteful and should be avoided.

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention provides a diode, a power supply that supplies a constant current in the direction of the head of the diode, and a temperature that outputs a signal depending on the value of the voltage generated in the diode on the same chip. A detection unit inputs a signal from the temperature detection unit, determines whether the signal corresponds to a predetermined temperature, and outputs a signal indicating that the temperature is reached if the temperature has reached the specified temperature. The central processing unit is characterized in that it is equipped with an input/output control section configured with an abnormality determination section that performs the above-mentioned abnormality determination section, and a logic circuit that inputs a signal from the abnormality determination section and suspends access to an external device.

By forming the operating CPU main body and a diode for detecting temperature on the same chip, changes in the temperature of the chip can be monitored at any time to detect abnormal heat generation at an early stage. Furthermore, when the temperature rises, the turnout control section suspends access to external devices, thereby reducing power consumption and suppressing heat generation without stopping the operation of the CPH.

Embodiment FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. CPU body 1
In the forward direction of the diode 3 formed on the same chip as
A constant current source 4 always supplies a constant current.

Generally, as shown in FIG. 3, a diode has a negative linear forward voltage characteristic with respect to temperature when driven at a constant current. Since the temperature detection section 6 can determine the temperature of the chip by measuring the forward voltage of the diode 3, the temperature can be controlled by outputting a signal according to the voltage. The signal sent from the temperature detection section 6 is input to the abnormality determination section 6.

The abnormality determination unit 6 determines whether the temperature has reached a predetermined abnormal temperature range, and if abnormal, outputs a signal indicating the abnormality. Note that more detailed control becomes possible by outputting different signals depending on the temperature. The input/output control unit 7 receives the signal indicating the abnormality from the abnormality determination unit 6, and determines the timing and duration of the hold, and puts access to the external device 8, mainly the memory, on hold.

Generally, a considerable portion of the power consumed by a CPU is used to drive external devices, so suspending access to external memory is very effective in reducing heat generation. For this purpose, a CPU with built-in cache 2
1 is considered to be particularly effective.

Note that if the cause of the heat generation is a failure of the cooling system or the apU itself, simply suspending access to external devices will not reduce the temperature. Furthermore, the temperature detection section 6 of the present invention
Assuming that an abnormality occurs in the abnormality determination unit 6 and the input/output control unit 7, the forward voltage of the diode 3 is also output to the outside so that the temperature inside the CPU can be detected by an external circuit. .

Effects of the Invention By forming a diode on the same chip as the CPU main body, changes in the temperature of the chip can be sensed immediately and accurately. This makes it possible to handle failures more quickly and to control the cooling system and the like in more detail, which is very effective in practice.

In recent years, the power consumption of CPUs has increased as the performance and density of CPUs have increased. As the performance increases, the number of elements connected to the outside of the CPH also increases, so the power required to drive these external devices has come to occupy a considerable portion of the total power consumption. Therefore, reducing power consumption by suspending access to external devices is very effective in lowering temperature.

Furthermore, in a CPU with a cache, even if access to one of the external devices or the external memory is suspended, the degree to which the operating speed is slowed down is small. Therefore, without stopping the operation of the CPH and without significantly slowing down the operation speed,
This makes it possible to lower the temperature, which is extremely useful for ensuring reliability.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the configuration of a central processing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the configuration of a conventional central processing unit, and FIG. 3 is a temperature characteristic diagram of forward voltage of a diode. 1...CPU main body, 3...Diode, 4...Constant current source, 6...Temperature detection section, 6...Abnormality determination part, γ...1, input/output control part, 8...external device. Name of agent: Patent attorney Toshio Nakao and 1 other person No. 3
Zutaki Performance (°Q) - Castle

Claims (1)

[Claims] A diode, a power supply that supplies a constant current in the forward direction of the diode, and a temperature detection section that outputs a signal according to the value of the voltage generated in the diode, on the same semiconductor substrate;
an abnormality determination unit that receives a signal from the temperature detection unit, determines whether the signal corresponds to a predetermined temperature, and outputs a signal indicating that the temperature has reached the temperature; and an input/output control unit configured with a logic circuit that inputs a signal from the abnormality determination unit and suspends access to an external device.