Abstract: Methods, Apparatus, and Systems are discussed for a sequencer-based protocol adapter that executes a limited instruction set. The sequencer-based protocol adapter is implemented in electronic hardware and programmable registers in an integrated circuit and configured to transition a set of 1) one or more voltage sources, 2) one or more frequency sources, or 3) a combination of voltage sources and frequency sources, coupled with that sequencer-based protocol adapter. The sequencer-based protocol adapter manages power on the integrated circuit, via receiving a desired performance index at an input and then executing one or more of the limited instructions stored in the programmable registers in a proper sequence of steps in order to transition the coupled voltage sources and/or frequency sources from a current operational state to a desired operational state. Note, the desired operational state the coupled voltage sources and/or frequency sources corresponds to the received desired performance index.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an operating point controller for two or more circuit regions in an integrated circuit is discussed. The OPC is configured to both i) set a resource state, including operating voltage and operating frequency, for each of those circuit regions, and ii) identify events to initiate transitions between two or more operating points for a given circuit region. The operating point controller is also configured to manage transitions between operating points for the two or more circuit regions on the integrated circuit. The operating point controller is a hardware based machine implemented in logic rather than software operating on a CPU processor.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the OPC manages at least one of i) gating state and ii) different operating frequencies for a given circuit region. The operating point controller is configured to be capable of both 1) having sole control to set and manage the gating state and operating frequency for the given circuit region based on a first set of events, as well as 2) delegating control to a local power domain controller to set and manage i) gating state for components in that circuit region, ii) different operating frequencies for components in that circuit region, and iii) combinations of both, based on a second set of events, on a per operating point basis. The multiple operating points for that circuit region have different operating voltage levels and operating frequencies, and when delegated, the local power domain controller will chose the gating state and/or operating frequency.

Abstract: Methods, Apparatus, and Systems are discussed for a sequencer-based protocol adapter that executes a limited instruction set. The sequencer-based protocol adapter is implemented in electronic hardware and programmable registers in an integrated circuit and configured to transition a set of 1) one or more voltage sources, 2) one or more frequency sources, or 3) a combination of voltage sources and frequency sources, coupled with that sequencer-based protocol adapter. The sequencer-based protocol adapter manages power on the integrated circuit, via receiving a desired performance index at an input and then executing one or more of the limited instructions stored in the programmable registers in a proper sequence of steps in order to transition the coupled voltage sources and/or frequency sources from a current operational state to a desired operational state. Note, the desired operational state the coupled voltage sources and/or frequency sources corresponds to the received desired performance index.

Abstract: An arbitrator governs an arbitration between different power domains and sequences powering up the different power domains supplied by the same voltage supply (VS) circuit on the Chip. The arbitrator has sequencing logic that limits how many different power domains simultaneously power up to a maximum amount, which is less than enough instantaneous electrical current drawn on the VS-circuit to cause a reduction below a minimum allowable supply voltage level for the VS-circuit. The sequencing logic manages the sequencing of powering up the different power domains by factoring in i) whether different power domains arbitrating to power up are part of a set of power domains that share the VS-circuit, ii) an amount of an instantaneous electrical current drawn, and iii) an amount of credits available before the minimum allowable supply voltage level occurs for that VS-circuit. The sequencing logic controls a behavior of the power domains when powering up from multiple different behaviors.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an operating point controller for two or more circuit regions in an integrated circuit is discussed. The OPC is configured to both i) set a resource state, including operating voltage and operating frequency, for each of those circuit regions, and ii) identify events to initiate transitions between two or more operating points for a given circuit region. The operating point controller is also configured to manage transitions between operating points for the two or more circuit regions on the integrated circuit. The operating point controller is a hardware based machine implemented in logic rather than software operating on a CPU processor.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the OPC manages at least one of i) gating state and ii) different operating frequencies for a given circuit region. The operating point controller is configured to be capable of both 1) having sole control to set and manage the gating state and operating frequency for the given circuit region based on a first set of events, as well as 2) delegating control to a local power domain controller to set and manage i) gating state for components in that circuit region, ii) different operating frequencies for components in that circuit region, and iii) combinations of both, based on a second set of events, on a per operating point basis. The multiple operating points for that circuit region have different operating voltage levels and operating frequencies, and when delegated, the local power domain controller will chose the gating state and/or operating frequency.

Abstract: An arbitrator governs an arbitration between different power domains and sequences powering up the different power domains supplied by the same voltage supply (VS) circuit on the Chip. The arbitrator has sequencing logic that limits how many different power domains simultaneously power up to a maximum amount, which is less than enough instantaneous electrical current drawn on the VS-circuit to cause a reduction below a minimum allowable supply voltage level for the VS-circuit. The sequencing logic manages the sequencing of powering up the different power domains by factoring in i) whether different power domains arbitrating to power up are part of a set of power domains that share the VS-circuit, ii) an amount of an instantaneous electrical current drawn, and iii) an amount of credits available before the minimum allowable supply voltage level occurs for that VS-circuit. The sequencing logic controls a behavior of the power domains when powering up from multiple different behaviors.

Abstract: A testing approach involves selective application of clock signals to target circuitry. In an example embodiment (300), a target circuit (332) having logic circuitry that processes data in response to an operational clock signal (308) having at least one clock period, is analyzed for delay faults. Test signals are applied to the logic circuitry while the logic circuitry is clocked with a high-speed test clock (309) having several clock-state transitions that occur during at least one clock period of the operational clock (308). An output from the logic circuitry is analyzed for its state (e.g., as affected by delay in the circuitry). Delay faults are detected as a difference in state of the output of the logic circuitry. With this approach, circuits are tested using conventional testers (340) that operate at normal (e.g., slow) speeds while selectively clocking selected portions of the circuit at higher speeds for detecting speed-related faults therein.