Vaughn F Watts

US Patent:

59960841, Nov 30, 1999

Filed:

Jan 17, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/785619

Inventors:

Vaughn Watts - Temple TX

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

G06F 132

US Classification:

713323

Abstract:

A method and system (130) for controlling sensed CPU dynamic operating characteristics, such as CPU temperature, temperature change and power consumption, including the steps of and circuitry for sensing at least one dynamic CPU operating characteristic (140) while the CPU operates at a first clock rate (134). The system (130) determines that a setpoint interrupt condition exists (140), such as a temperature threshold, by virtue of the at least one sensed CPU dynamic operating characteristic establishing a predetermined relationship relative to a predetermined setpoint (140) that associates with the at least one dynamic operating characteristic. In the event that the setpoint interrupt condition exists, the circuitry and instructions control (144) the clock rate relative to the first clock rate. In the event that the setpoint interrupt condition does not exist, the circuitry and instructions repeat the above steps of determining the interrupt condition and controlling the clock rate. The method and system (130) also determine whether the CPU is in a compute-bound state (142).