摘要 |
Methods and systems for operating a semiconductor device (e.g., a microprocessor) are described. The microprocessor is initially operated at a voltage and frequency that would be within operating limits at any device temperature. Using models that relate device temperature, operating limits and power consumption with voltage and frequency, the amount of supply voltage and a new operating frequency can be selected. The models are periodically consulted thereafter to continue adjusting the supply voltage and operating frequency, so that the microprocessor is caused to operate at very close to its capacity, in particular in those instances when, for example, processor-intensive instructions are being executed.
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