Apparatus and method for TPM and LAN power management

摘要

In Gigibit Ethernet Systems, the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) is designed to provide trust and security to a platform through integrity measurement, protected storage, and other cryptographic functions. The present invention relates to a TPM-LAN chip with separate TPM and LAN power management. The TPM-LAN chip is designed such a way that power is reduced significantly in different power management modes compared to the legacy devices. This is accomplished by turning off certain clocks during certain operating modes.

主权项

1. A system comprising:
a primary clock coupled to a first clock selector and a second clock selector; an alternate clock coupled to the first clock selector; a third clock coupled to the second clock selector; a local area network (LAN) module coupled to the first clock selector; a trusted platform module (TPM) coupled to the second clock selector; and a state monitor coupled to the TPM and the LAN module for reporting TPM information to the LAN module, wherein the first clock selector is configured to output either the primary dock or the alternate clock based on an operating status of the LAN module, and wherein the second clock selector is configured to output either the primary clock or the third clock based on the reported TPM information.