High-speed hardware-based dvfs system using frequency lock loop and on-die voltage controller

Abstract

A voltage controller circuit is provided for dynamic frequency and voltage scaling. The voltage controller circuit receives an error signal indicating a frequency error and a code error. The frequency error indicates a first difference between a target frequency and an actual frequency generated by an oscillator, and the code error indicates a second difference between a minimum code and an actual code with which the oscillator is configured to generate the actual frequency. The minimum code corresponds to a maximum frequency that the oscillator generates for a processor to safely operate under a given voltage. The voltage controller circuit calculates a voltage correction value based on the error signal, a first gain parameter for the frequency error, and a second gain parameter for the code error, and sends a request to a power management circuit to cause an updated voltage to be supplied to the processor.