Providing a low-power state processor voltage in accordance with a detected processor type

According to some embodiments, a low-power state processor voltage is provided in accordance with a detected processor type.

BACKGROUND

In some cases, different types of processors will require different voltage levels. For example, one type of processor might require a first low-power state voltage (e.g., 1.0 volts) while another type of processor requires a second low-power state voltage (e.g., 0.8 volts). To provide an appropriate voltage level to a processor, different components (e.g., resistors) could be used on circuit boards for different types of processors. In this case, however, the components on a particular circuit board might need to be changed whenever one type of processor is replaced with a different type of processor (e.g., when a different type of processor is inserted into a socket on the circuit board). Moreover, changing the components could be a time consuming process that requires soldering by an experienced technician (and could also result in errors or damage to the components).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a block diagram of an apparatus100according to some embodiments. In particular, the apparatus100may provide a voltage for different types of processors102(e.g., different types of processors102that require different voltage levels may be inserted into a socket). For example, one type of processor102might require a particular low-power state voltage while another type of processor102requires a different low-power state voltage.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the apparatus100includes a detector110. The detector110may, for example, provide a signal indicating the type of processor that is currently present (e.g., is currently inserted into a socket). According to some embodiments, the detector110detects the processor type in accordance with a signal received from a processor pin. For example, the detector circuit110might indicate that a first type of processor is present when the signal is high and that a second type of processor is present when the signal is low.

The apparatus100also includes a voltage provider120to receive the indication from the detector110and provide an appropriate voltage to the processor102based on the indication (e.g., via a processor pin that is associated with a low-power state voltage). For example, the voltage provider120might provide a first voltage level when a first processor type is detected by the detector110and a second voltage level when a second processor type is detected.

Although a separate detector110and voltage provider120are illustrated inFIG. 1, according to some embodiments a single apparatus may act as both a detector110and a voltage provider120. Moreover, the detector110and/or the voltage provider120might be associated with a voltage regulator integrated circuit or chip.

FIG. 2is an example of a voltage regulator circuit200according to some embodiments. In this example, a first type of processor has an open BOOT SEL processor pin and needs to receive a 1.0 Volt (V) low-power state voltage (e.g., to support a “deeper sleep” power state). Moreover, a second type of processor internally pulls the BOOT SEL processor pin high and needs to receive a 0.8 V low-power state voltage.

A processor type detector portion of the circuit200includes a detection transistor212that receives a signal from the BOOT SEL pin. In particular, the detection transistor212may be a Bi-Polar Junction (BPJ) transistor having a base coupled to the BOOT SEL pin and a collector coupled to an inverter214. The inverter214may comprise, for example, an n-channel inverter formed by a Field Effect Transistor (FET).

When the first type of processor is present (e.g., the one that requires 1.0 V), the BOOT SEL pin is open which causes the base of the detection transistor212to be pulled low. As a result, the detection transistor212turns off (i.e., its collector goes high) and the inverter214is turned on. On the other hand, the second type of processor (e.g., the one that needs to receive 0.8 V) would internally pull the BOOT SEL pin high, which turns on the detection transistor212and turns off the inverter214.

A voltage provider portion of the circuit200includes a voltage divider that receives a 1.236 V reference voltage from a Frequency Set (FS) pin. According to some embodiments, an op-amp voltage follower224is included to avoid an inadvertent shift in processor frequency.

When the first type of processor is present (e.g., one that needs to receive 1.0 V), an inverter222in the voltage provider portion of the circuit200is turned off because the inverter214in the detection portion of the circuit200is turned on (as previously described). That is, when the inventor214is on, the drain of the inverter214is pulled low turning off the inverter222. Because the inverter222is off, the low-power state voltage provided to the processor is the voltage drop across a 4.87 Kilo-Ohm (KΩ) resistor in the voltage divider, or 1.0 V. That is, the voltage level equals 1.236 V multiplied by 4.87 KΩ/(1 KΩ+4.87 KΩ), which is 1.025 V. Note that the voltage level may further be associated with a 25 millivolt offset value.

When the second type of processor is present (e.g., one that needs to receive 0.8 V), the inventor222is turned on (because the inverter214in the detection portion of the circuit200is off). As a result, a 3.7 KΩ resistor is introduced in parallel to the 4.87 KΩ resister, and the low-power state voltage provided to the processor is 0.8 V. That is, the two resistors in parallel have a resistance of 2 KΩ—and the voltage level therefore now equals 1.236 V multiplied by 2 KΩ/(1 KΩ+2 KΩ) or 0.825 V (which may again be associated with a 25 millivolt offset value).

According to some embodiments, an offset value associated with the processor voltage is adjusted in accordance with the processor type. For example, a maximum operating voltage might be reduced, or “offset,” by an offset amount such that the reduced value is substantially near a mid-point of a range of operating voltages for that type of processor (e.g., a maximum operating voltage of 1.55 V might be reduced by 25 millivolts if that type of processor has a 50 millivolt range of operating voltages).

As illustrated inFIG. 2, an offset compensation portion of the circuit200may include an inverter232(e.g., a p-channel transistor) that receives a signal from the detection transistor212in the processor type detector portion. When the inverter232is turned on, a 1.2 mega-ohm resistor is placed in parallel with the 549 KΩ offset setting resistor that is connected between the 5 V rail and an OFS pin.

FIG. 3is a flow chart of a method according to some embodiments. The flow charts described herein do not necessarily imply a fixed order to the actions, and embodiments may be associated with any order that is practicable. The method ofFIG. 3may be associated with, for example, the apparatus100ofFIG. 1and/or the circuit200ofFIG. 2.

At302, a processor type is detected. For example, a signal received from a processor pin might be used to determine which type of processor is currently present in a socket. At304, a low-power state voltage is provided to the processor in accordance with the processor type. For example, a first voltage level might be supplied for a first processor type while a second voltage level would be supplied for a second processor type. According to some embodiments, an offset value is adjusted at306in accordance with the processor type.

In this way, a single circuit board and set of components might support different types of processors that require different voltages (e.g., the circuit board might have a socket that can receive different types of processors). In other words, appropriate voltages may be provided without needing to replace the components on the circuit board (which might save time as well as reduce the risk of errors or damage caused by the replacement).

FIG. 4is a block diagram of a system400according to some embodiments. The system400may be associated with, for example, a circuit board with a socket402that is able to receive different types of processors. The system400also includes a power supply450to convert Alternating Current (AC) power to Direct Current (DC) power. According to another embodiment, a battery is instead used to provide power for the system400.

A voltage regulator460coupled to the power supply450may provide a voltage to a processor in accordance with any of the embodiments described herein. For example, the voltage regulator460may provide a first low-power state voltage level when a first type of processor is in the socket402and a second low-power state voltage level when a second type of processor is in the socket402.

The following illustrates various additional embodiments. These do not constitute a definition of all possible embodiments, and those skilled in the art will understand that many other embodiments are possible. Further, although the following embodiments are briefly described for clarity, those skilled in the art will understand how to make any changes, if necessary, to the above description to accommodate these and other embodiments and applications.

Although some embodiments have been described with respect to two processor types, embodiments may support more that two types of processors. For example, three different types of processor might need three different voltage levels.

Moreover, although some embodiments have been described with respect to low-power state voltages, embodiments may be associated with any voltages that are provided to a processor. For example, different VCCvoltage levels might be provided to different types of host processors.

Similarly, although particular circuits and components have been described, embodiments may be associated with any types of circuits or components that perform any of the functions described herein.

The several embodiments described herein are solely for the purpose of illustration. Persons skilled in the art will recognize from this description other embodiments may be practiced with modifications and alterations limited only by the claims.