Abstract: A circuit detects a voltage droop exhibited by a power supply. A first signal delay line outputs a first delayed signal, and is comprised of delay elements having a first threshold voltage. A second delay line outputs a second delayed signal, and is comprised of delay elements having a second threshold voltage that is higher than the first threshold voltage. A phase detector compares the first and second delayed signals and outputs a comparison signal indicating which of the first and second signal delay lines exhibits a shorter delay. A reset circuit resets the first and second signal delay lines in response to the comparison signal, and a clock controller outputs a command to adjust a clock frequency or engage in other mitigation measures based on the comparison signal.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a frequency monitor circuitry to receive a first clock signal, a second clock signal and an expected frequency ratio, determine whether a ratio between the first clock signal and the second clock signal matches an expected an expected frequency ratio and generate an error signal upon a determination that the ratio between the first clock signal and the second clock signal does not match the expected frequency ratio.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for determining an amount of skew between two clock signals. In an embodiment, detector circuitry receives a first signal and a signal which indicate (respectively) a NAND combination of clock signals, and a NOR combination of the clock signals. The detector circuitry evaluates a first length of time that the first signal indicates a respective first logic state, and a second length of time that the second signal indicates a respective second logic state. The skew is calculated based on a difference between the first length of time and the second length of time. In another embodiment, one of the first signal or the second signal is generated with a combinatorial logic gate, a transistor of which is relatively large, as compared to another transistor which is to operate based on one of the first signal, the second signal, or the clock signals.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe methods, apparatuses, and systems for phase-lock loop (PLL) configuration and realization to provide various reference clock frequencies to computing core(s) and processor(s), and other benefits. A post digitally-controlled oscillator (DCO) divider (PDIV) of the PLL may be configured with a dedicated PDIV threshold value corresponding to a dedicated target reference frequency.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe methods, apparatuses, and systems for phase-lock loop (PLL) configuration and realization to provide various reference clock frequencies to computing core(s) and processor(s), and other benefits. A post digitally-controlled oscillator (DCO) divider (PDIV) of the PLL may be configured with a dedicated PDIV threshold value corresponding to a dedicated target reference frequency.

Abstract: Techniques for enabling a rapid clock frequency transition are described. An example of a computing device includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU) that includes a core and noncore components. The computing device also includes a dual mode FIFO that processes data transactions between the core and noncore components. The computing device also includes a frequency control unit that can instruct the core to transition to a new clock frequency. During the transition to the new clock frequency, the dual mode FIFO continues to process data transactions between the core and noncore components.

Abstract: Techniques for enabling a rapid clock frequency transition are described. An example of a computing device includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU) that includes a core and noncore components. The computing device also includes a dual mode FIFO that processes data transactions between the core and noncore components. The computing device also includes a frequency control unit that can instruct the core to transition to a new clock frequency. During the transition to the new clock frequency, the dual mode FIFO continues to process data transactions between the core and noncore components.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of controllably variable capacitor loads that may be used with delay stages or other elements, for example, in a voltage controlled oscillator.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a temperature compensating solution to reduce changes in PLL damping factor that would otherwise occur with changes in temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a charge pump that can provide an output voltage with an output current that remains sufficiently constant over an operating range of the output voltage

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of controllably variable capacitor loads that may be used with delay stages or other elements, for example, in a voltage controlled oscillator.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device, such as a processor initiates a transition to a first power management state. The device then receives a request to exit the first power management state and, in response exits the first power management state at the highest of a reference operating voltage, such as a minimum operating voltage, and a current voltage. For one aspect, an analog to digital converter may be used to determine the current voltage level. Further, for one aspect the first power management state may be a deeper sleep (C4) state, and the processor may quickly exit to a C2 state in response to a bus event such as a bus snoop.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a phase-locked loop includes a detector for detecting at least one of a startup condition and a yank condition and a controller for controlling current between a charge pump and the phase-locked loop. If a startup condition is detected, the controller sinks current from a control node connected to a loop filter of the phase-locked loop. This, in turn, causes a bias voltage to increase until the phase-locked loop transitions from startup mode to a normal acquisition mode. The current sink is provided by a dummy charge pump and the startup condition is determined by detecting the end of a PLL disable state. If a yank condition is detected, a charge pump connected to a phase-frequency detector of the phase-locked loop controls the bias voltage until a feedback frequency becomes lower than a reference frequency. Methods for controlling a phase-locked loop during both modes of operation may use of the aforementioned apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a phase-locked loop includes a detector for detecting at least one of a startup condition and a yank condition and a controller for controlling current between a charge pump and the phase-locked loop. If a startup condition is detected, the controller sinks current from a control node connected to a loop filter of the phase-locked loop. This, in turn, causes a bias voltage to increase until the phase-locked loop transitions from startup mode to a normal acquisition mode. The current sink is provided by a dummy charge pump and the startup condition is determined by detecting the end of a PLL disable state. If a yank condition is detected, a charge pump connected to a phase-frequency detector of the phase-locked loop controls the bias voltage until a feedback frequency becomes lower than a reference frequency. Methods for controlling a phase-locked loop during both modes of operation may use of the aforementioned apparatus.

Abstract: A control circuit corrects duty-cycle distortion of clock signals accurately and with a fast and continuous response over a wide dynamic range. In one embodiment, the duty-cycle correction circuit includes a self-biased loop that corrects duty-cycle distortions to preferably less than +/?1%. The duty-cycle correction circuit also compensates for changes in a supply voltage. These corrections may take place on a continuous basis, not only during a testing period but also during normal operation of the host system driven by the clock signals.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a phase-locked loop includes a detector for detecting at least one of a startup condition and a yank condition and a controller for controlling current between a charge pump and the phase-locked loop. If a startup condition is detected, the controller sinks current from a control node connected to a loop filter of the phase-locked loop. This, in turn, causes a bias voltage to increase until the phase-locked loop transitions from startup mode to a normal acquisition mode. The current sink is provided by a dummy charge pump and the startup condition is determined by detecting the end of a PLL disable state. If a yank condition is detected, a charge pump connected to a phase-frequency detector of the phase-locked loop controls the bias voltage until a feedback frequency becomes lower than a reference frequency. Methods for controlling a phase-locked loop during both modes of operation may use of the aforementioned apparatus.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device, such as a processor initiates a transition to a first power management state. The device then receives a request to exit the first power management state and, in response exits the first power management state at the highest of a reference operating voltage, such as a minimum operating voltage, and a current voltage. For one aspect, an analog to digital converter may be used to determine the current voltage level. Further, for one aspect the first power management state may be a deeper sleep (C4) state, and the processor may quickly exit to a C2 state in response to a bus event such as a bus snoop.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a phase-locked loop includes a detector for detecting at least one of a startup condition and a yank condition and a controller for controlling current between a charge pump and the phase-locked loop. If a startup condition is detected, the controller sinks current from a control node connected to a loop filter of the phase-locked loop. This, in turn, causes a bias voltage to increase until the phase-locked loop transitions from startup mode to a normal acquisition mode. The current sink is provided by a dummy charge pump and the startup condition is determined by detecting the end of a PLL disable state. If a yank condition is detected, a charge pump connected to a phase-frequency detector of the phase-locked loop controls the bias voltage until a feedback frequency becomes lower than a reference frequency. Methods for controlling a phase-locked loop during both modes of operation may use of the aforementioned apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a phase-locked loop includes a detector for detecting at least one of a startup condition and a yank condition and a controller for controlling current between a charge pump and the phase-locked loop. If a startup condition is detected, the controller sinks current from a control node connected to a loop filter of the phase-locked loop. This, in turn, causes a bias voltage to increase until the phase-locked loop transitions from startup mode to a normal acquisition mode. The current sink is provided by a dummy charge pump and the startup condition is determined by detecting the end of a PLL disable state. If a yank condition is detected, a charge pump connected to a phase-frequency detector of the phase-locked loop controls the bias voltage until a feedback frequency becomes lower than a reference frequency. Methods for controlling a phase-locked loop during both modes of operation may use of the aforementioned apparatus.

Abstract: A method for controlling a phase-locked loop includes receiving a frequency change signal and electrically isolating a VCO control node of the phase-locked loop from at least one charge pump of the loop. During this isolation period, the VCO control node voltage is held at a constant value equal to the voltage that existed before the frequency change signal was received. One or more parameters of the PLL are then altered in a manner that will ensure generation of a newly desired output frequency. These parameters include but are not limited to a feedback divider value and a reference frequency input into the PLL. The new output frequency may be above or below the pre-change signal frequency depending, for example, on a mode of operation of a host system. When the VCO control node is once again electrically connected to the charge pump, the PLL locks on to the desired output frequency.