Adaptive temperature dependent feedback clock control system and method

摘要

An adaptive temperature dependent clock feedback control system (10) and method for adaptively varying a frequency of a clock signal (30) to a circuit (20) such that the circuit (20) may operate at a maximum safe operating clock frequency based on a circuit junction temperature. The clock control system (10) includes a thermal sensor (50) and a temperature dependent dynamic overclock generator circuit (40). The thermal sensor (50) detects a junction temperature corresponding to at least a portion of the circuit (20) on a semiconductor die (60). The temperature dependent dynamic overclock generator circuit (40) varies the clock signal (30) based on the semiconductor die junction temperature, such that the clock signal (30) operates at the highest possible operating frequency associated with the detected junction temperature. The frequency of the clock signal (30) is increased from a first frequency to at least a second frequency and a third frequency if the junction temperature is below a lower junction temperature threshold.