Intel Corporation

Matthew M Ma

Robert J Greiner

Stephen H Gunther

Kevin Dai

Edward Paul Osburn

Michael A Stapleton

The operating voltage of an integrated circuit (e.g., a processor) is changed in response to one or more conditions (e.g., a laptop computer is connected to an AC power source). Both the operating frequency and the operating voltage of the integrated circuit are changed. The voltage regulator providing the operating voltage to the integrated circuit is caused to transition between voltage levels using one or more intermediate steps. The integrated circuit continues to operate in the normal manner both at the new voltage and throughout the voltage transition.

Dynamic voltage transitions

Embodiments of the present invention describe a system and method for microprocessor power regulation. An appropriate amount of voltage is provided to a microprocessor based on a voltage identifier (VID) received by a voltage controller from the microprocessor via a serial communication line. A voltage identifier clock signal (VIDClock) is used for the timing of transmission and receipt of data/acknowledgement signals. A guard clock signal (VIDGuard) is provided via a separate guard clock line to prevent potential noise on the clock line from causing a clock signal misidentification, which could cause a wrong value to be received as the VID. VIDGuard is analyzed in relation to ViDClock to verify the value of the clock signal. To verify receipt of the VID data, a voltage identifier acknowledgement line (VIDAck) is transmitted from the voltage regulator to the microprocessor. The acknowledgement signal is checked by a two-part receipt verification, high-to-low and low-to-high.

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Portland, OR, United States of America

Matthew M Ma