Abstract: A system and method are described herein for estimating power usage of various components of a CPU and controlling voltage regulators based on the estimated power usage. The power estimates may be based on digital power meter readings at each component, on voltage information from a voltage regulator, and on other power information. This power information is transmitted over a mesh interconnect disposed throughout the CPU such that power estimation can be accurately calculated and used to control voltage regulators without being limited by external bus speeds. More of the power management processes and components may be disposed on the CPU and connected to the mesh interconnect. These power management processes include various calibrations, adjustments, and limits so as efficiently manage and use the more rapidly processed power estimations.

Abstract: Automatic calibration circuits for operational calibration of critical-path time delays in adaptive clock distribution systems, and related methods and systems, are disclosed. The adaptive clock distribution system includes a tunable-length delay circuit to delay distribution of a clock signal provided to a clocked circuit, to prevent timing margin degradation of the clocked circuit after a voltage droop occurs in a power supply supplying power to the clocked circuit. The adaptive clock distribution system also includes a dynamic variation monitor to reduce frequency of the delayed clock signal provided to the clocked circuit in response to the voltage droop in the power supply, so that the clocked circuit is not clocked beyond its performance limits during a voltage droop. An automatic calibration circuit is provided in the adaptive clock distribution system to calibrate the dynamic variation monitor during operation based on operational conditions and environmental conditions of the clocked circuit.

Abstract: Automatic calibration circuits for operational calibration of critical-path time delays in adaptive clock distribution systems, and related methods and systems, are disclosed. The adaptive clock distribution system includes a tunable-length delay circuit to delay distribution of a clock signal provided to a clocked circuit, to prevent timing margin degradation of the clocked circuit after a voltage droop occurs in a power supply supplying power to the clocked circuit. The adaptive clock distribution system also includes a dynamic variation monitor to reduce frequency of the delayed clock signal provided to the clocked circuit in response to the voltage droop in the power supply, so that the clocked circuit is not clocked beyond its performance limits during a voltage droop. An automatic calibration circuit is provided in the adaptive clock distribution system to calibrate the dynamic variation monitor during operation based on operational conditions and environmental conditions of the clocked circuit.