Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling processor performance to regulate heat generation are disclosed. For example, a power monitor is provided for use in a computer having a processor. The example power monitor includes a current sense resistor associated with a power input of the processor and an amplifier in communication with the current sense resistor to develop a signal representative of power dissipated by the processor. The power monitor also includes a comparison circuit to compare the signal output by the amplifier with a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A computer system includes a voltage regulator that supplies power to a component. The component may provide a signal indicating an amount of current the component consumes under a high utilization operating condition. The voltage regulator may then determine the slope of a load line using this signal.

Abstract: Power is applied to a voltage supply. A signal that indicates reduced work capability in an integrated circuit (IC) that is being powered by the voltage supply is generated based on workload demand or conscious power and performance tradeoffs. This signal is applied to increase the power efficiency of the voltage supply, while the supply is powering the IC in its reduced work capability state.

Abstract: A system including at least one electronic component and a battery check circuit. When a power consumption level of the at least one electronic component is increased, the battery check circuit determines whether to provide power from a battery to the at least one electronic component by comparing a power level of the battery to a first power level.

Abstract: A computer system having multiple components capable of being in either a wake or sleep state includes a power manager and a voltage regulator. The power manager may generate a power state status signal indicating the power states of the components, and this signal may be provided to the voltage regulator. In response, the voltage regulator may operate in a synchronous mode when the power state status signal indicates that the components are in a wake state. The voltage regulator may operate in a non-synchronous mode when the power state status signal indicates that the components are in a sleep state.

Abstract: A computer system having one or more components capable of being in either wake or sleep states includes a power manager and a voltage regulator. The power manager may generate a power state signal indicating the power state of the component, and this signal may be provided to the voltage regulator. The voltage regulator may supply power to the component. The target voltage level of the power may be dependent on both a current level of the power and the power state signal.

Abstract: For a battery-operable device, an overload protector may prevent a catastrophic malfunction. Using the overload protector, a power source may enable controlled delivery of power to the battery-operable device as a result of a timely intervention. More particularly, in mobile devices or systems with variable power consumption components and/or operational modes, the frequency of the occurrence of tripping in a battery may be reduced or even eliminated in some cases. In one embodiment, a battery overload protector may continuously monitor available power from a power delivery unit and alert a processor-based system before a threshold of available power is reached by tracking power consumption against the threshold. The battery overload protector may issue a warning to the processor-based system in order to avoid exceeding the threshold.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system is disclosed. The system includes a battery, a super-capacitor (SC) coupled in parallel to the battery, a computer system coupled to the battery and the SC, and a current limiter coupled to the battery the SC and the computer system. The current limiter prevents excess current from flowing from the battery to the SC.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a processor may receive a supply voltage provided by an external voltage regulator. The processor may include a voltage sensor, the output of which may be a control signal to indicate if the supply voltage is above or below a target value. This target value may be adjusted by the processor in accordance with a power management policy. The control signal may be provided to the external voltage regulator to adjust the supply voltage accordingly.

Abstract: For one embodiment of the present invention, a processor may include one or more integrated voltage regulators powered by an external voltage regulator and generating one or more local supply voltages for the processor. The one or more local supply voltages may be set to allow one or more circuits powered by the local supply voltage(s) to meet a timing requirement. The local supply voltage(s) may be adjusted by the processor in accordance with a power management policy.

Abstract: For one embodiment of the present invention, a processor may include one or more integrated voltage regulators powered by an external voltage regulator and generating one or more local supply voltages for the processor. The one or more local supply voltages may be set to allow one or more circuits powered by the local supply voltage(s) to meet a timing requirement. The local supply voltage(s) may be adjusted by the processor in accordance with a power management policy.

Abstract: A voltage regulator is described which uses external resistors to set a load line and offset. During initial operation and also during normal operation the load line and offset are reset by placing, for instance, the microprocessor in a high active state, low active state and in a sleep mode. By dynamically changing the load line and offset voltage, minimum current is drawn thus extending battery life.

Abstract: An electronic device including a voltage supply source is presented. Included in the electronic device is a low voltage detection circuit that is connected to the voltage supply source. Also, a voltage offset circuit is connected to the low voltage detection circuit. The voltage offset circuit offsets a voltage drop in the low voltage detection circuit that is caused by a voltage transient. Therefore, a false reading is prevented in the low voltage detection circuit.

Abstract: A computer system having multiple components capable of being in either a wake or sleep state includes a controller and a voltage regulator. The controller may generate a power state status signal indicating the power states of the components, and this signal may be provided to the voltage regulator. In response, the voltage regulator increases its output voltage level to the components when the power state status signal indicates that the components enter a sleep state.

Abstract: Briefly, descriptions of embodiments for, at least practically, reducing the power consumption of a mass storage device are provided.

Abstract: An electronic device including a voltage supply source is presented. Included in the electronic device is a low voltage detection circuit that is connected to the voltage supply source. Also, a voltage offset circuit is connected to the low voltage detection circuit. The voltage offset circuit offsets a voltage drop in the low voltage detection circuit that is caused by a voltage transient. Therefore, a false reading is prevented in the low voltage detection circuit.

Abstract: A voltage regulator is described which uses external resistors to set a load line and offset. During initial operation and also during normal operation the load line and offset are reset by placing, for instance, the microprocessor in a high active state, low active state and in a sleep mode.

Abstract: A switching regulator has a number of switchable power circuits, a number of inductive elements each being in series with a respective power circuit, and a number of resistors each being in series between a respective inductive element and a common node. A hysteretic comparator circuit has a first input coupled to the common node, and an output coupled to control the switchable power circuits. A number of sampling circuits each being coupled to provide a resistor voltage of a respective resistor as an input to the hysteretic comparator circuit is also provided. The hysteretic comparator circuit responds to each pair of resistor and common node voltages using the same hysteresis thresholds.

Abstract: A voltage regulator illustrating one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention is described. The voltage regulator includes an output stage for providing an output voltage on an output voltage terminal, a first switch for charging the output stage, and a second switch for discharging output stage 201. The voltage regulator also includes an input signal terminal for receiving a control signal and a third switch for preventing the second switch from closing when the control signal is asserted. When the control signal on the input signal terminal is not asserted, the voltage regulator operates as a typical switching regulator, alternately charging and discharging the output stage to maintain a stable output voltage on the output voltage terminal. A portion of the power supplied to charge the output stage is consumed every time the output stage is discharged.

Abstract: A switching regulator of the step down variety is disclosed. First and second transistors coupled in parallel between a first supply node and a first output node are controlled by a driver stage to sequentially (1) switch on the first transistor, (2) switch on the second transistor, (3) switch off the second transistor, and (4) switch off the first transistor. The first transistor is smaller than the second transistor, such that the first transistor can switch faster than the second transistor, thereby reducing power dissipation during the time intervals in which both transistors are switching. Such a design allows an increase in switching frequency without the conventional increase in power dissipation, in return for a relatively inexpensive change of adding an additional, smaller transistor in parallel with a larger one, and associated circuitry in the driver stage.