The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 13, 2006
Filed:
Dec. 18, 2002
Michael T. Zhang, Portland, OR (US);
Benson D. Inkley, North Plains, OR (US);
Peter T. LI, Portland, OR (US);
Hung-piao MA, Portland, OR (US);
James S. Dinh, Gig Harbor, WA (US);
Michael T. Zhang, Portland, OR (US);
Benson D. Inkley, North Plains, OR (US);
Peter T. Li, Portland, OR (US);
Hung-Piao Ma, Portland, OR (US);
James S. Dinh, Gig Harbor, WA (US);
Intel Corporation, Santa Clara, CA (US);
Abstract
A system and method for automatically adjusting microprocessor activity following thermal stress of a voltage regulator is disclosed. A thermal monitoring circuit determines whether the voltage regulator has exceeded a predetermined temperature. The thermal monitoring circuit may employ a temperature-sensing component such as a thermistor to determine the temperature or may derive the temperature indirectly, based on the average input (or output) current. When the over-temperature condition occurs, a signal activates the PROCHOT#, or similar, pin on a microprocessor, throttling the microprocessor clock. Where the microprocessor includes no internal power-reducing feature, the signal throttles an external clock coupled to the microprocessor. In either case, execution of the microprocessor is slowed down. At all times, the voltage regulator maintains the ability to supply continuous current to the microprocessor.