Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a processor having a core with decode logic to decode an instruction prescribing an identification of a location to be monitored and a timer value, and a timer coupled to the decode logic to perform a count with respect to the timer value. The processor may further include a power management unit coupled to the core to determine a type of a low power state based at least in part on the timer value and cause the processor to enter the low power state responsive to the determination. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to improve integrated circuit (IC) performance across a range of operating conditions and/or physical constraints are described. In one embodiment, an operating parameter of one or more of processor cores may be adjusted in response to a change in the activity level of processor cores (e.g., the number of active processor cores) and/or a comparison of one or more operating conditions and one or more corresponding threshold values. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: The operating voltage of an integrated circuit (e.g., a processor) is changed in response to one or more conditions (e.g., a laptop computer is connected to an AC power source). Both the operating frequency and the operating voltage of the integrated circuit are changed. The voltage regulator providing the operating voltage to the integrated circuit is caused to transition between voltage levels using one or more intermediate steps. The integrated circuit continues to operate in the normal manner both at the new voltage and throughout the voltage transition.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for establishing safe processor operating points. Some embodiments may include a tamper resistant storage element that stores information regarding one or more operating points of an adjustable processor operating parameter. Some embodiments may further include an element to determine what the current processor operating point is of the operating parameter, and an element to compare the current operating point of the operating parameter with the stored information.

Abstract: Power management of an embedded dynamic random access memory (eDRAM) by receiving an eDRAM power state transition event and determining both the current power state of the eDRAM and the next power state of the eDRAM from the power states of: a power-on state, a power-off state, and a self-refresh state. Using the current power state and the next power state to determine whether a power state transition is required, and, in the case that a power state transition is required, transition the eDRAM to the next power state. Power management is achieved because transitioning to a power-off state or self-refresh state reduces the amount of power consumed by the eDRAM as compared to the power-on state.

Abstract: Independent power control of two or more processing cores. More particularly, at least one embodiment of the invention pertains to a technique to place at least one processing core in a power state without coordinating with the power state of one or more other processing cores.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for establishing safe processor operating points. Some embodiments may include a tamper resistant storage element that stores information regarding one or more operating points of an adjustable processor operating parameter. Some embodiments may further include an element to determine what the current processor operating point is of the operating parameter, and an element to compare the current operating point of the operating parameter with the stored information.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a processor includes at least one processor core and power control logic having energy usage logic to predict an energy usage of the processor and a voltage regulator coupled to the processor, during a low power period according to a first voltage regulator control mode and a second voltage regulator control mode, and to control the voltage regulator based at least in part on the predicted energy usage. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a processor includes a first processor core, a second processor core, a first voltage regulator to provide a first voltage to the first processor core with a first active value when the first processor core is active, and a second voltage regulator to provide a second voltage to the second processor core with a second active value when the second processor core is active. Responsive to a request to place the first processor core in a first low power state with an associated first low power voltage value, the first voltage regulator is to reduce the first voltage to a second low power voltage value that is less than the first low power voltage value, independent of the second voltage regulator. First data stored in a first register of the first processor core is retained at the second low power value. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a processor having a plurality of cores each to execute instructions, a non-volatile storage to store maximum peak operating frequency values each a function of a given number of active cores, a configuration storage to store frequency limits each corresponding to one of the maximum peak operating frequency values or a configurable clip frequency value less than the maximum peak operating frequency value. In turn, a power controller is configured to limit operating frequency of the cores to a corresponding frequency limit obtained from the configuration storage. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a processor having a plurality of cores each to execute instructions, a non-volatile storage to store maximum peak operating frequency values each a function of a given number of active cores, a configuration storage to store frequency limits each corresponding to one of the maximum peak operating frequency values or a configurable clip frequency value less than the maximum peak operating frequency value. In turn, a power controller is configured to limit operating frequency of the cores to a corresponding frequency limit obtained from the configuration storage. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a processor includes multiple domains including a core domain having at least one core to execute instructions and a graphics domain including at least one graphics engine to perform graphics operations and a power controller to control power consumption of the processor. The power controller may include a logic to receive an indication of a priority domain of the domains and to dynamically allocate power to the domains based on a power limit, one or more maximum domain frequency requests, and the priority domain indication. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a processor includes a plurality of cores each to independently execute instructions, a plurality of graphics engines each to independently perform graphics operations; and, a power control unit coupled to the plurality of cores to control power consumption of the processor, where the power control unit includes a power excursion control logic to limit a power consumption level of the processor from being above a defined power limit for more than a duty cycle portion of an operating period. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a processor includes multiple cores each to independently execute instructions and a power control unit (PCU) coupled to the cores to control power consumption of the processor. In turn, the PCU includes a control logic to cause the processor to re-enter a first package low power state responsive to expiration of an inter-arrival timer, where this expiration indicates that a time duration subsequent to a transaction received in the processor has occurred. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: The operating voltage of an integrated circuit (e.g., a processor) is changed in response to one or more conditions (e.g., a laptop computer is connected to an AC power source). Both the operating frequency and the operating voltage of the integrated circuit are changed. The voltage regulator providing the operating voltage to the integrated circuit is caused to transition between voltage levels using one or more intermediate steps. The integrated circuit continues to operate in the normal manner both at the new voltage and throughout the voltage transition.

Abstract: The operating voltage of an integrated circuit (e.g., a processor) is changed in response to one or more conditions (e.g., a laptop computer is connected to an AC power source). Both the operating frequency and the operating voltage of the integrated circuit are changed. The voltage regulator providing the operating voltage to the integrated circuit is caused to transition between voltage levels using one or more intermediate steps. The integrated circuit continues to operate in the normal manner both at the new voltage and throughout the voltage transition.

Abstract: A processor is described that includes a plurality of execution cores. The processor also includes power management circuitry to dynamically determine a number of the execution cores that, when active, will cause the processor to operate in a substantially linear power consumption vs. frequency region of operation such that performance gain as a function of power consumption increase with the number of cores is higher as compared to any other number of active execution cores within an established power envelope.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a processor includes a first domain with at least one core to execute instructions and a second domain coupled to the first domain and including at least one non-core circuit. These domains can operate at independent frequencies, and a power control unit coupled to the domains may include a thermal logic to cause a reduction in a frequency of the first domain responsive to occurrence of a thermal event in the second domain. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a processor includes a first domain with at least one core to execute instructions and a second domain coupled to the first domain and including at least one non-core circuit. These domains can operate at independent frequencies, and a power control unit coupled to the domains may include a thermal logic to cause a reduction in a frequency of the first domain responsive to occurrence of a thermal event in the second domain. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: An apparatus that includes a semiconductor chip having a processor and an on-die non-volatile storage resource is described. The on-die non volatile storage is to store different, appropriate performance related information for different configurations and/or usage cases of the processor for a same performance state of the processor.