Abstract: A method for dynamically operating a multi-core processor system is provided. The method involves ascertaining currently active processor cores, identifying a currently active processor core having a lowest operating frequency, and adjusting at least one operational parameter according to voltage-frequency characteristics corresponding to the identified processor core to fulfill a predefined functional mode, e.g. power optimization mode, performance optimization mode and mixed mode.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a processor having a core and a power controller to control power management features of the processor. The power controller can receive an energy performance bias (EPB) value from the core and access a power-performance tuning table based on the value. Using information from the table, at least one setting of a power management feature can be updated. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system is described herein for thread consolidation. Current processor utilization is determined. And consolidation opportunities are identified from the processor utilization and other exaction parameters, such as estimating a new utilization after consolidation, determining if power savings would occur based on the new utilization, and performing migration/consolidation of threads to a subset of active processing elements. Once the consolidation is performed, the non-subset processing elements that are now idle are powered down to save energy and provide an energy efficient execution environment.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a processor includes a core with a front end unit, at least one execution unit, and a back end unit. Multiple voltage drop detectors can be located within the core each to output a voltage drop signal when a detected voltage falls below a threshold voltage. In turn, a current transient logic coupled to receive the voltage drop signals can control a micro-architectural parameter of at least one of the front end unit, execution unit and back end unit responsive to receipt of a voltage drop signal. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to energy efficient and conserving thermal throttling of electronic device processors using a zero voltage processor state. For example, a processor die may include a power control unit (PCU), and an execution unit having power gates and a thermal sensor. The PCU is attached to the thermal sensor to determine if a temperature of the execution unit has increased to greater than an upper threshold, such as while the execution unit is processing data in an active processor power state. The PCU is also attached to the power gates so that upon such detection, it can change the active processor power state to a zero processor power state to reduce the temperature of the execution unit. When the sensor detects that the temperature has decreased to less than a lower threshold, the PCU can change the processor power state back to the active state.

Abstract: Systems and methods of overheat detection provide for generating a control signal on a die containing a processor based on an internal temperature of the processor and a control temperature threshold. It can be determined whether to generate a warning temperature event on the die based on a behavior of the control signal. In one embodiment, the warning temperature event provides for initiation of an automated data saving process, which reduces the abruptness of conventional warning temperature shutdowns. Other embodiments provide the user the option of saving his or her work before a shutdown temperature threshold is reached.

Abstract: The present invention includes an illumination source, at least one illumination symmetrization module (ISM) configured to symmetrize at least a portion of light emanating from the illumination source, a first beam splitter configured to direct a first portion of light processed by the ISM along an object path to a surface of one or more specimens and a second portion of light processed by the ISM along a reference path, and a detector disposed along a primary optical axis, wherein the detector is configured to collect a portion of light reflected from the surface of the one or more specimens.

Abstract: Systems and methods of managing power provide for issuing a first operating requirement from a first processor core and issuing a second operating requirement from a second processor core. In one embodiment, the operating requirements can reflect either a power policy or a performance policy, depending upon the factor that is currently most important to software. Hardware coordination logic is used to coordinate a shared resource setting with the operating requirements. The hardware coordination logic is also able to coordinate the shared resource setting with independent resource settings of the first and second processor cores based on the operating requirements.

Abstract: Systems and methods of managing power provide for issuing a first operating requirement from a first processor core and issuing a second operating requirement from a second processor core. In one embodiment, the operating requirements can reflect either a power policy or a performance policy, depending upon the factor that is currently most important to software. Hardware coordination logic is used to coordinate a shared resource setting with the operating requirements. The hardware coordination logic is also able to coordinate the shared resource setting with independent resource settings of the first and second processor cores based on the operating requirements.

Abstract: For one disclosed embodiment, a processor comprises a plurality of processor cores to operate at variable performance levels. One of the plurality of processor cores may operate at a performance level different than a performance level at which another one of the plurality of processor cores may operate. Logic of the processor is to monitor activity of one or more of the plurality of processor cores. Logic of the processor is to constrain power of one or more of the plurality of processor cores based at least in part on the monitored activity. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A technique to dynamically maintain the thermal levels of a plurality of cores of a processing system by interleave core hopping with throttling techniques. The interleaving logic may transfer execution of threads from a hot core to a cold if core hopping is applicable. Core hopping may be applicable if there exist a cold core to which the execution of threads can be assigned to from a hot core and if the rate of occurrence of core hopping is within an allowable rate value. The interleaving logic may apply throttling techniques if core hopping is not applicable. The throttling techniques may throttle the throttling parameters, which may comprise voltage, frequency, and micro-architecture throttling parameters provided to the hot core if the core hopping is not applicable.

Abstract: Various metrology systems and methods are provided.

Abstract: A system for measuring and managing thermal operations of a processor core on a semiconductor die using a sensor positioned in a hotspot of the processor core. A measured temperature reading is determined based upon a temperature sensed by the sensor. Interrupt signals and a software readable register indicating temperature information provide feedback about the thermal environment to the processor. Based upon the measured temperature reading, the interrupt signals direct the processor to modify operation.

Abstract: Briefly, a processor and a method of setting a performance state of a turbo mode enabled processor. The method includes determining an effective performance state over a predetermined time period, calculating a target performance state based on core utilization and the effective performance state over the predetermined time period and setting the turbo mode enabled processor to a turbo mode performance state.

Abstract: For one disclosed embodiment, a plurality of processor cores may be on a semiconductor die. The processor cores may have at least one corresponding temperature sensor. Circuitry on the semiconductor die may generate thermal event indications based on sensed temperatures from multiple temperature sensors of multiple processor cores. A thermal event indication may indicate that a sensed temperature exceeds a temperature point. Central management logic on the semiconductor die may receive thermal event indications based on sensed temperatures from multiple temperature sensors of multiple processor cores. The central management logic may modify operation of one or more of the processor cores in response to a thermal event indication. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: Briefly, a processor and a method of estimating an active energy consumption of two or more cores of a processor based on dispatching micro operations to one or more execution units of the processor.

Abstract: A method for dynamically operating a multi-core processor system is provided. The method involves ascertaining currently active processor cores, identifying a currently active processor core having a lowest operating frequency, and adjusting at least one operational parameter according to voltage-frequency characteristics corresponding to the identified processor core to fulfill a predefined functional mode, e.g. power optimization mode, performance optimization mode and mixed mode.

Abstract: A processing platform and a method of controlling power consumption of a central processing unit of the processing platform are presented. By operating the method the processing platform is able to set an upper performance state limit and a lower performance state limit. The upper performance state limit is based on a central processing unit activity rate value and the lower performance state limit is based on a minimum require of the operating system to perform operating system tasks. The performance state values are varying within a range of the lower and upper limits according to a power management policy.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to power management for multiple processor cores are described. In one embodiment, one or more techniques may be utilized locally (e.g., on a per core basis) to manage power consumption in a processor. In another embodiment, power may be distributed among different power planes of a processor based on energy-based considerations. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to deterministic management of dynamic thermal response of processors are described. In one embodiment, available thermal headroom may be used to extract the performance potential in a deterministic way, e.g., such that it reduces or even eliminates the product-to-product variations. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.