Patent ID: 7165183
Filing Date: 2007-01-16
Classification: G06F,Y02D

Abstract:
1. A semiconductor integrated circuit comprising: a substrate, a plurality of function modules on the substrate and performing different processes, a thermal detecting means to put out an interrupt signal when the temperature of the substrate exceeds a reference temperature, the thermal detecting means comprising a thermal detector that includes a ring oscillator on the substrate, a clock providing means, including a frequency division value register and an emergency frequency division value register, for providing each function module with an inputted clock signal divided by a frequency division value set in the frequency division value register, when the interrupt signal is not put out and divided by an emergency frequency division value set in the emergency frequency division value register when the interrupt signal is put out, and a microprocessor to control the system including the function modules as well as to provide the frequency division value according to the interrupt signal of the thermal interrupt means, wherein the thermal detector produces an output signal having a magnitude corresponding to the frequency of the ring oscillator, wherein the thermal detecting means further comprises a comparator to compare the output signal of the thermal detector to a reference signal, and an interrupt request register that receives an output signal from the comparator and outputs the interrupt signal to the microprocessor, and wherein the thermal detector additionally includes a counter that counts oscillations of the ring oscillator, a first data latch that holds a count value of the counter, a second data latch that holds the count value held by the first data latch, and a subtracter that subtracts the value held by the second data latch from the value held by the first data latch to generate the output signal of the thermal detector.