On-board performance monitor and power control system
View Patent ↗A system and method for controlling performance and/or power based on monitored performance characteristics. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise an integrated circuit comprising a first circuit module that receives electrical power. A second circuit module may monitor one or more performance characteristics of the first circuit module and/or the integrated circuit. A third circuit module may, for example, determine power control information based at least in part on the monitored performance characteristic(s). The power control information may be communicated to power supply circuitry to control various characteristics of the electrical power. Various aspects of the present invention may also comprise an integrated circuit comprising a first module that monitors at least one performance characteristic of a first electrical device. The integrated circuit may also comprise modules that determine power control information based on the monitored performance characteristic(s) and communicate such power control information to power supply circuitry.
1. An integrated circuit comprising:
a first module that operates to receive electrical power and perform a function; and
at least one second module that operates to, at least:
monitor a performance characteristic of one or both of the first module and the integrated circuit; and
communicate with a third module regarding the monitored performance characteristic.
2. The integrated circuit of claim 1 , where the third module operates to perform power control functionality.
3. The integrated circuit of claim 1 , where the third module is internal to the integrated circuit.
4. The integrated circuit of claim 1 , where the third module is external to the integrated circuit.
5. The integrated circuit of claim 4 , where the third module is a module of a power supply circuit that is external to the integrated circuit.
6. The integrated circuit of claim 1 , where the third module operates to, at least:
receive information regarding performance characteristics of a plurality of modules, the plurality of modules comprising the first module;
analyze the received information regarding performance characteristics to determine power control information; and
communicate the determined power control information to power supply circuitry that provides the electrical power.
7. The integrated circuit of claim 6 , where the third module operates to analyze the received information regarding performance characteristics to determine power control information by, at least in part, operating to analyze at least one of respective priorities of the plurality of modules and/or respective performance needs of the plurality of modules.
8. The integrated circuit of claim 1 , where the performance characteristic comprises processing speed.
9. The integrated circuit of claim 1 , where the performance characteristic comprises temperature.
10. The integrated circuit of claim 1 , where the performance characteristic comprises error rate.
11. The integrated circuit of claim 1 , where the performance characteristics comprises energy consumption and/or energy efficiency.
12. The integrated circuit of claim 1 , where the at least one second module operates to communicate information with the third module, the information comprising information of the monitored performance characteristic.
13. The integrated circuit of claim 1 , where the at least one second module operates to communicate information with the third module, the information comprising power adjustment information related to a change in the monitored performance characteristic.
14. An integrated circuit comprising:
a performance sensor; and
at least one module that operates to, at least:
utilize the performance sensor to monitor a performance characteristic of a first electrical device that is external to the integrated circuit;
determine power control information based, at least in part, on the monitored performance characteristic; and
communicate at least a portion of the determined power control information with a second electrical device that is external to the integrated circuit.
15. The integrated circuit of claim 14 , where the second electrical device comprises a power supply circuit adapted to provide electrical power to the first electrical device.
16. The integrated circuit of claim 14 , where the performance characteristic of the first electrical device comprises processing speed.
17. The integrated circuit of claim 14 , where the performance characteristic comprises temperature.
18. The integrated circuit of claim 14 , where the performance characteristic comprises error rate.
19. The integrated circuit of claim 14 , where the performance characteristics comprises energy consumption and/or energy efficiency.
20. The integrated circuit of claim 14 , where the communicated power control information comprises information of the monitored performance characteristic.
21. The integrated circuit of claim 14 , where the communicated power control information comprises power adjustment information related to a change in the monitored performance characteristic.
22. The integrated circuit of claim 14 , wherein the at least one module operates to:
monitor the performance characteristic of a third electrical device that is external to the integrated circuit; and
process information of the monitored performance characteristic of the first and third electrical devices to determine the power control information.