Resumen
Multiple logic cores (120) of integrated circuits and processors may be configured to operate at frequencies and voltages independently of each other. Additionally, other components, such as a common bridge (110) configured to interface with the logic cores, may operate at a voltage and frequency independent of the voltage and frequency at which the logic cores are operating. The operating frequency and/or voltage of a logic core may be independently adjusted for various reasons, including power management and temperature control. Logic circuitry at an interface between the controller and the logic cores may translate logic signals from one voltage and/or frequency to another to enable communication between the bridge and the logic core when the two are operating at different voltages and/or frequencies.
Reivindicaciones
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. An integrated circuit (100), comprising: a plurality of logic cores (120), wherein at least one of the plurality of logic cores is configured to operate at a voltage level independent of a voltage level at which another of the plurality of logic cores operates, and wherein at least one of the logic cores is configured to operate at a frequency independent of a frequency at which another of the plurality of logic cores operates; and a common interface unit (110), wherein the common interface unit is configured to provide an interface between the plurality of logic cores and one or more components external to the integrated circuit, wherein during operation the common interface unit is configured to communicate with ones of the plurality of logic cores operating at different voltage levels and ones of the logic cores operating at different frequencies. 2. The integrated circuit of claim 1, further comprising power management logic configured to adjust a current operating voltage level for at least one of the plurality of logic cores in response to determining that a current operating temperature for the integrated circuit is hotter than a specified temperature. 3. The integrated circuit of claim 2, wherein in further response to determining that a current operating temperature for the integrated circuit is hotter than a specified temperature, the power management logic is configured to adjust an operating voltage for the common interface unit to an adjusted voltage, wherein the adjusted voltage is lower than a current operating voltage for the common interface unit. 4. The integrated circuit of claim 2, wherein the power management logic is further configured to adjust an operating frequency for at least one of the plurality of logic cores in response to determining that a current operating temperature for the integrated circuit is hotter than a specified temperature for the integrated circuit. 5. The integrated circuit of claim 4, wherein the power management logic is further configured to adjust an operating frequency for the common interface unit to an adjusted frequency, wherein the adjusted frequency is equal to or greater than the adjusted_operating frequency of the at least one of the plurality of logic cores. 6. The integrated circuit of claim 1, further comprising frequency control logic configured to adjust an operating frequency of at least one of the plurality of logic cores in response determining that a current operating temperature for the integrated circuit is hotter than a specified temperature for the integrated circuit. 7. The integrated circuit of claim 1, further comprising voltage translation logic located at an interface between the at least one of the plurality of logic cores and the common interface unit, wherein the voltage translation is configured to translate communication signals from a voltage level at which the common interface unit is operating to a voltage level at which the at least one of the logic cores is operating. 8. The integrated circuit of claim 1, further comprising frequency control logic configured to increase an operating frequency of at least one of the plurality of logic cores in response determining that a current operating temperature for the integrated circuit is cooler than a specified temperature for the integrated circuit. 9. A method, comprising: determining that a current operating temperature for an integrated circuit (100) is hotter than a specified temperature, wherein the integrated circuit comprises a plurality of logic cores (120), wherein each of the logic cores is configured to operate at a voltage independent of a voltage at which another of the logic cores operates, and wherein each of the logic core is configured to operate a frequency independent of a frequency at which another of the logic cores operates; and in response to said determining, supplying either a lower operating voltage or a lower operating frequency for at least one of the plurality of logic cores, wherein the lower operating voltage is lower than a current operating voltage for the at least one of the plurality of logic cores, and wherein the lower operating frequency is lower than a current operating frequency for the at least one of the plurality of logic cores. 10. A computer system, comprising: a processor; memory coupled to the processor; and wherein the processor comprises: a plurality of processor cores (120) configured to execute program instructions, wherein each of the plurality of processor cores is configured to operate at a voltage independent of a respective voltage at which another of the plurality of processor cores is operating and wherein each of the plurality of processor cores is configured to operate at a frequency independent of a frequency at which another of the plurality of processor cores is operating; a common interface unit (110) coupled to each of the processor cores; wherein the common interface unit is configured to interface to each of the processor cores and to one or more components external to the processor; wherein the common interface unit is configured to operate at a voltage independent of a voltage at which any of the plurality of processor cores is operating; and wherein the common interface unit is configured to operate at a frequency independent of a frequency at which any of the plurality of logic cores is operating.
