Power monitoring circuit for the central processing unit on a computer circuit board

摘要

A power monitoring circuit for monitoring the power being supplied to a central processing unit (CPU) is provided. This power monitoring circuit can adaptively adjust for a suitable power level corresponding to the power rating of the CPU. The CPU on which the power monitoring circuit is used should be of the type having a factory-preset built-in power-rating code that indicates the tolerable power range acceptable by the CPU. The power monitoring circuit includes decoding means that can decode the power-rating code into a bottom-limit reference value and an bottom-limit reference value which indicate respectively the bottom and upper limits of the tolerable power range acceptable by the CPU. Further, the power monitoring circuit includes means for comparing the magnitude of the power being supplied to the CPU against the bottom-limit reference value and the bottom-limit reference value to see if the power is within the tolerable power range acceptable by the CPU. If not, a power-fault signal is generated, which can be used by a power control circuit to perform a feedback control that adjusts the power being supplied to the CPU to within the tolerable power range acceptable by the CPU. If the power control circuit is unable to adjust the power to within the tolerable power range acceptable by the CPU, an audible alarm sound is generated to notify the user or any personnel nearby to take necessary repair actions.