Abstract: A processor includes a plurality of voltage droop detectors positioned at multiple points of a processor. The detectors monitor voltage levels and alert the processor if a droop event has been detected in real time. Multiple droops can be detected simultaneously, with each detected droop event generating an alert that is sent to a processor module, such as a clock control module, to act based on the detected droop. Each detector employs a ring oscillator that generates a periodic signal and a corresponding count based on that signal, where the frequency of the signal varies based on a voltage at the corresponding point being monitored.

Abstract: A monitoring system predicts voltage droops at a processor by monitoring one or more performance characteristics of the processor, selecting a response policy based on the prediction, and adjusting a parameter of the processor. Multiple predictions of voltage droop conditions at different locations of the processor are made simultaneously, with the processor generating one or more responses and resulting in adjusting one or more parameters of the processor. By predicting voltage droop conditions before they occur, the deleterious effects of such droop conditions can be minimized or avoided.

Abstract: A processor includes a plurality of voltage droop detectors positioned at multiple points of a processor. The detectors monitor voltage levels and alert the processor if a droop event has been detected in real time. Multiple droops can be detected simultaneously, with each detected droop event generating an alert that is sent to a processor module, such as a clock control module, to act based on the detected droop. Each detector employs a ring oscillator that generates a periodic signal and a corresponding count based on that signal, where the frequency of the signal varies based on a voltage at the corresponding point being monitored.

Abstract: A computing device includes a processor having a plurality of cores, a core translation component, and a core assignment component. The core translation component provides a set of registers, one register for each core of the multiple processor cores. The core assignment component includes components to provide a core index to each of the registers of the core translation component according to a core assignment scheme during processor initialization. Process instructions from an operating system are transferred to a respective core based on the core indices.

Abstract: A processor maintains a minimum setup time for data being transferred between clock domains, including maintaining the minimum setup time in response to a frequency change in a clock signal for at least one of the clock domains. The processor employs one or more control modules that monitor clock edges in each of the clock domains to ensure that data is not accessed by the receiving clock domain from a storage location until a minimum number of phases have elapsed in the transferring clock domain after the data has been written to the storage location. Further, the control module maintains the minimum setup time in response to a change in clock frequency at one or both of the clock domains.

Abstract: A processor adjusts frequencies of one or more clock signals in response to a voltage droop at the processor. The processor generates at least one clock signal by generating a plurality of base clock signals, each of the base clock signals having a common frequency but a different phase. The processor also generates a plurality of enable signals, wherein each enable signal governs whether a corresponding one of the base clock signals is used to generate the clock signal. The enable signals therefore determine the frequency of the clock signal. In response to detecting a voltage droop, the processor adjusts the enable signals used to generate the clock signal, thereby reducing the frequency of the clock signal droop.

Abstract: A processor maintains a minimum setup time for data being transferred between clock domains, including maintaining the minimum setup time in response to a frequency change in a clock signal for at least one of the clock domains. The processor employs one or more control modules that monitor clock edges in each of the clock domains to ensure that data is not accessed by the receiving clock domain from a storage location until a minimum number of phases have elapsed in the transferring clock domain after the data has been written to the storage location. Further, the control module maintains the minimum setup time in response to a change in clock frequency at one or both of the clock domains.

Abstract: A novel zero delay regenerative circuit is presented. The circuit, when connected to a data bus, suppresses noise, reduces time delay and provides sharper edge rates. A first input of a NOR gate is connected to an input node. A second input of the NOR gate is connected to the precharge clock of the bus. The output of the NOR gate is connected to the gate terminate of a field-effect transistor (FET). With the drain terminal connected to ground, the source terminal of the FET is connected to an output node. The input and output nodes are shorted together.