Abstract: A coil inductor and buck voltage regulator incorporating the coil inductor are provided which can be fabricated on a microelectronic element such as a semiconductor chip, or on an interconnection element such as a semiconductor, glass or ceramic interposer element. When energized, the coil inductor has magnetic flux extending in a direction parallel to first and second opposed surfaces of the microelectronic or interconnection element, and whose peak magnetic flux is disposed between the first and second surfaces. In one example, the coil inductor can be formed by first conductive lines extending along the first surface of the microelectronic or interconnection element, second conductive lines extending along the second surface of the microelectronic or interconnection element, and a plurality of conductive vias, e.g., through silicon vias, extending in direction of a thickness of the microelectronic or interconnection element. A method of making the coil inductor is also provided.

Abstract: A wide bandwidth resonant clock distribution comprises a clock grid configured to distribute a clock signal to a plurality of components of an integrated circuit and a tunable sector buffer configured to receive the clock signal and provide an output to the clock grid. The tunable sector buffer is configured to set latency and slew rate of the clock signal based on an identified resonant or non-resonant mode.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for minimizing power consumption for operation of a fixed-frequency processing unit. A number of timeslots are counted in a time window where throttling is engaged to the fixed-frequency processing unit. The number of timeslots where throttling is engaged is divided by a total number of timeslots within the time window, thereby producing a performance loss (PLOSS) value. A determination is made as to whether determining whether the (PLOSS) value associated with the fixed-frequency processing unit is greater than an allowed performance loss (APLOSS) value. Responsive to the PLOSS value being less than or equal to the APLOSS value, a decrease in voltage supplied to the fixed-frequency processing unit is initiated.

Abstract: A wide bandwidth resonant clock distribution comprises a clock grid configured to distribute a clock signal to a plurality of components of an integrated circuit, a tunable sector buffer configured to receive the clock signal and provide an output to the clock grid, at least one inductor, at least one tunable resistance switch, and a capacitor network. The tunable sector buffer is programmable to set latency and slew rate of the clock signal. The inductor, tunable resistance switch, and capacitor network are connected between the clock grid and a reference voltage. The at least one tunable resistance switch is programmable to dynamically switch the at least one inductor in or out of the clock distribution to effect at least one resonant mode of operation or a non-resonant mode of operation based on a frequency of the clock signal.

Abstract: A delay circuit includes at least one main inverter configured to receive an input signal and output a delayed output signal and at least one switchable inverter connected in parallel with the main inverter circuit. The switchable inverter is configured to decrease a delay between the input signal and the delayed output signal based on the switchable inverter being turned on.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for determining a modeled age of a set of interconnect groups in a set of cores in a set of multi-core processors. For each interconnect group in the set of interconnect groups in the set of cores on the set of multi-core processors, a determination is made of a current modeled age of the interconnect group. A determination is then made as to whether at least one current modeled age of the interconnect group for the set of interconnect groups is greater than an end-of-life value. Responsive to at least one current modeled age of the interconnect group being greater than the end-of-life value, an indication to take corrective action with the at least one associated interconnect group is sent.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for implementing an operational parameter change within the data processing system based on an identified degradation. One or more degradations existing in the data processing system are identified based on a set of degradation values obtained from a set of degradation sensors. A determination is made as to whether one or more operational parameters need to be modified based on the one or more identified degradations. Responsive to determining that the one or more operational parameters need to be modified based on the one or more identified degradations, an input change is implemented to a one or more control devices in order that the one or more operational parameters are modified.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for implementing an operational parameter change within the data processing system based on an identified degradation. One or more degradations existing in the data processing system are identified based on a set of degradation values obtained from a set of degradation sensors. A determination is made as to whether one or more operational parameters need to be modified based on the one or more identified degradations. Responsive to determining that the one or more operational parameters need to be modified based on the one or more identified degradations, an input change is implemented to a one or more control devices in order that the one or more operational parameters are modified.

Abstract: A circuit for monitoring and controlling a clock signal generated by a clock source in a microprocessor device may include a voltage divider network that provides a plurality of voltages, a selector device that receives the plurality of voltages and provides a scaled supply voltage and a scaled ground voltage from the plurality of voltages, and at least one delay element that receives the scaled supply voltage and the scaled ground voltage and generates a delayed pulse signal by applying a delay to each pulse of the clock signal. The delayed pulse signal may include a delay magnitude that is controllable by the scaled supply voltage and the scaled ground voltage, such that the delayed pulse signal is used to generate a frequency correction signal based on a variation to a supply voltage of the microprocessor. The frequency correction signal may then be applied to the clock source.

Abstract: A computing circuit that includes clocked circuitry, a controller, and a clock generator. The clocked circuitry is configured to receive data and to perform data manipulation on the data based on a first clock signal. The controller is configured to control the transmission of the data to the clocked circuitry. The clock generator is configured to receive as inputs a second clock signal and a delay control signal from the controller, and to delay the second clock signal to generate the first clock signal. The clock generator includes a main delay component configured to receive the second clock signal and to output the first clock signal. The clock generator also includes a switchable delay component connected in parallel with the main delay component, where the switchable delay component is configured to receive as an input the delay control signal from the controller.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for minimizing power consumption for operation of a fixed-frequency processing unit. A number of timeslots are counted in a time window where throttling is engaged to the fixed-frequency processing unit. The number of timeslots where throttling is engaged is divided by a total number of timeslots within the time window, thereby producing a performance loss (PLOSS) value. A determination is made as to whether determining whether the (PLOSS) value associated with the fixed-frequency processing unit is greater than an allowed performance loss (APLOSS) value. Responsive to the PLOSS value being less than or equal to the APLOSS value, a decrease in voltage supplied to the fixed-frequency processing unit is initiated.

Abstract: A delay circuit includes at least one main inverter configured to receive an input signal and output a delayed output signal and at least one switchable inverter connected in parallel with the main inverter circuit. The switchable inverter is configured to decrease a delay between the input signal and the delayed output signal based on the switchable inverter being turned on.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for determining a modeled age of a mufti-core processor. For each core in a set of cores in the multi-core processor, a determination is made of a temperature, a voltage, and a frequency at regular intervals for a set of degradations and a set of voltage domains, thereby forming the modeled age of the multi-core processor. A determination is made as to whether the modeled age of the multi-core processor is greater than an end-of-life value. Responsive to the modeled age of the multi-core processor being greater than an end-of-life value, an indication is sent that the multi-core processor requires replacement.

Abstract: A wide bandwidth resonant clock distribution comprises a clock grid configured to distribute a clock signal to a plurality of components of an integrated circuit and a tunable sector buffer configured to receive the clock signal and provide an output to the clock grid. The tunable sector buffer is configured to set latency and slew rate of the clock signal based on an identified resonant or non-resonant mode.

Abstract: A wide bandwidth resonant clock distribution comprises a clock grid configured to distribute a clock signal to a plurality of components of an integrated circuit, a tunable sector buffer configured to receive the clock signal and provide an output to the clock grid, at least one inductor, at least one tunable resistance switch, and a capacitor network. The tunable sector buffer is programmable to set latency and slew rate of the clock signal. The inductor, tunable resistance switch, and capacitor network are connected between the clock grid and a reference voltage. The at least one tunable resistance switch is programmable to dynamically switch the at least one inductor in or out of the clock distribution to effect at least one resonant mode of operation or a non-resonant mode of operation based on a frequency of the clock signal.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for mitigating aging of a set of components in the data processing system. A modeled age of a component in the set of components is identified. A desired aging requirement for the component is identified and a determination is made as to whether the modeled age of the component is greater than the desired age of the component. Responsive to the modeled age of the component being greater than the desired age of the component, a policy is implemented to mitigate the aging of the component.

Abstract: A wide bandwidth resonant clock distribution comprises a clock grid configured to distribute a clock signal to a plurality of components of an integrated circuit, at least one inductor, at least one tunable resistance switch, and a capacitor network. The inductor, tunable resistance switch, and capacitor network are connected between the clock grid and a reference voltage. The at least one tunable resistance switch is programmable to dynamically switch the at least one inductor in or out of the clock distribution to effect at least one resonant mode of operation or a non-resonant mode of operation based on a frequency of the clock signal.

Abstract: A distributed active transformer is provided comprising a primary and a secondary winding. The primary winding comprises a first set of conductive vias extending in a direction between a first surface and a second surface of an element, a first set of first electrically conductive lines extending along the first surface, and a first set of second electrically conductive lines extending along the second surface. The secondary winding comprises a second set of conductive vias extending in a direction between the first surface and the second surface, a second set of first electrically conductive lines extending along the first surface, and a second set of second electrically conductive lines extending along the second surface. When energized, the primary winding generates magnetic flux extending in a direction parallel to the first surface and the second surface. The secondary winding receives energy transferred by the magnetic flux generated by the primary winding.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for minimizing power consumption for operation of a fixed-frequency processing unit. A number of timeslots are counted in a time window where throttling is engaged to the fixed-frequency processing unit. The number of timeslots where throttling is engaged is divided by a total number of timeslots within the time window, thereby producing a performance loss (PLOSS) value. A determination is made as to whether determining whether the (PLOSS) value associated with the fixed-frequency processing unit is greater than an allowed performance loss (APLOSS) value. Responsive to the PLOSS value being less than or equal to the APLOSS value, a decrease in voltage supplied to the fixed-frequency processing unit is initiated.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for minimizing power consumption for operation of a fixed-frequency processing unit. A number of timeslots are counted in a time window where throttling is engaged to the fixed-frequency processing unit. The number of timeslots where throttling is engaged is divided by a total number of timeslots within the time window, thereby producing a performance loss (PLOSS) value. A determination is made as to whether determining whether the (PLOSS) value associated with the fixed-frequency processing unit is greater than an allowed performance loss (APLOSS) value. Responsive to the PLOSS value being less than or equal to the APLOSS value, a decrease in voltage supplied to the fixed-frequency processing unit is initiated.