Patent Publication Number: US-2021182121-A1

Title: Method and apparatus for managing processor functionality

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Central Processing Units (CPUs) are typically designed to work under certain environmental conditions, such as certain temperature, humidity, and air pressure, for example. However, if some of these conditions go beyond predefined limits, the CPU can fail to operate. If the CPU is unable to execute basic code and allow changes in BIOS, then the CPU will be nonoperational unless the environmental condition is altered to be within the typical limits. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more detailed understanding can be had from the following description, given by way of example in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an example device in which one or more features of the disclosure can be implemented; and 
         FIG. 2  is a flow diagram of an example method of managing processor functionality. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Although the method and apparatus will be expanded upon in further detail below, briefly a method for detecting environmental conditions and allowing for operation outside those conditions is described herein. 
     A method for managing processor functionality includes receiving, by the processor, data relating to one or more environmental conditions. The processor compares the data to pre-existing parameters to determine whether or not the environmental conditions are within the pre-existing parameters for normal operation. The processor is operated in a normal operation mode if the data are within the pre-existing parameters for normal operation, and in a second operation mode if the data are outside the pre-existing parameters for normal operation. 
     An apparatus for managing processor functionality includes at least one sensor, and a processor communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor. The sensor detects one or more environmental conditions and sends data regarding the one or more environmental conditions to the processor. The processor compares the data to pre-existing parameters to determine whether or not the environmental conditions are within the pre-existing parameters for normal operation. The processor operates in a normal operation mode if the data are within the pre-existing parameters for normal operation, and operates in a second operation mode if the data are outside the pre-existing parameters for normal operation. 
     A non-transitory computer-readable medium for managing processor functionality in a computer system has instructions recorded thereon, that when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operations include receiving, by the processor, data relating to one or more environmental conditions, comparing the data to pre-existing parameters to determine whether or not the environmental conditions are within the pre-existing parameters for normal operation, operating the processor in a normal operation mode if the data are within the pre-existing parameters for normal operation, and operating the processor in a second operation mode if the data are outside the pre-existing parameters for normal operation. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an example device  100  in which one or more features of the disclosure can be implemented. The device  100  can include, for example, a computer, a gaming device, a handheld device, a set-top box, a television, a mobile phone, or a tablet computer. The device  100  includes a processor  102 , a memory  104 , a storage  106 , one or more input devices  108 , and one or more output devices  110 . The device  100  can also optionally include an input driver  112  and an output driver  114 . Additionally, the device  100  includes a memory controller  115  that communicates with the processor  102  and the memory  104 , and also can communicate with an external memory  116 . It is understood that the device  100  can include additional components not shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     In various alternatives, the processor  102  includes a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a CPU and GPU located on the same die, or one or more processor cores, wherein each processor core can be a CPU or a GPU. In various alternatives, the memory  104  is located on the same die as the processor  102 , or is located separately from the processor  102 . The memory  104  includes a volatile or non-volatile memory, for example, random access memory (RAM), dynamic RAM, or a cache. 
     The storage  106  includes a fixed or removable storage, for example, a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, an optical disk, or a flash drive. The input devices  108  include, without limitation, a keyboard, a keypad, a touch screen, a touch pad, a detector, a microphone, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a biometric scanner, or a network connection (e.g., a wireless local area network card for transmission and/or reception of wireless IEEE 802 signals). The output devices  110  include, without limitation, a display, a speaker, a printer, a haptic feedback device, one or more lights, an antenna, or a network connection (e.g., a wireless local area network card for transmission and/or reception of wireless IEEE 802 signals). 
     The input driver  112  communicates with the processor  102  and the input devices  108 , and permits the processor  102  to receive input from the input devices  108 . The output driver  114  communicates with the processor  102  and the output devices  110 , and permits the processor  102  to send output to the output devices  110 . It is noted that the input driver  112  and the output driver  114  are optional components, and that the device  100  will operate in the same manner if the input driver  112  and the output driver  114  are not present. 
     The external memory  116  may be similar to the memory  104 , and may reside in the form of off-chip memory. Additionally, the external memory may be memory resident in a server where the memory controller  115  communicates over a network interface to access the memory  116 . 
       FIG. 2  is a flow diagram of an example method  200  for managing processor functionality. In step  210 , the processor (e.g., processor  102  of  FIG. 1 ) enters a startup mode. The processor receives data from one or more sensors regarding environmental conditions (step  220 ). For example, the processor  102  in system  100  may receive data from sensors such as input devices  108  via an input driver  112 . The data may include temperature, humidity, and air pressure, for example. 
     Once the processor has acquired the environmental data, the data is compared to pre-existing parameters to determine if the environmental parameters are outside of the pre-existing parameters for normal operation (step  230 ). If the environmental data meets the parameters for normal operation (step  230 ), then the processor enters normal startup mode (step  240 ). For example, if the environmental temperature is within a threshold for normal operation, then when the processor receives the temperature data and compares it to the temperature parameter in the pre-existing parameters, it determines that a normal startup is possible and effects a normal startup. 
     If the environmental parameters are outside of the normal operating ranges (step  230 ), then the processor modifies the pre-existing parameters to continue out of normal operating startup (step  250 ). For example, if the temperature received from the sensor is outside the normal temperature operating range for normal startup, the processor starts up in an outside of normal startup condition. This may include operating at reduced voltages, frequencies, and/or operating at a reduced functional level (e.g., powering down one or more cores). The out of normal operation may also include modifying phase locked loop (PLL) settings to operate at reduced functionality, and input/output I/O terminations to operate at reduced functionality, for example. 
     In this manner, the processor can continue to operate across a broader set of environmental conditions that would not be possible with a static set of initial programming pre-existing parameters that do not take environmental conditions into consideration. Accordingly, the processor does not cease to operate on account of the environmental conditions being outside a normal operating condition as defined by the pre-existing parameters. 
     System components including but not limited to a main processor and/or a System Management Unit (SMU) and/or Platform Security Processor (PSP) and/or other state machines, embedded controllers, and logic (both hardware and software) may adjust their own local operating parameters and/or the operating parameters of any other components of the system, including third party devices. This may occur early in a powerup or reboot sequence and be continually monitored with further adjustments possible during operation as sensor read parameters change. Additionally, if deemed necessary from sensor feedback, certain features (hardware or software) or mechanisms can be disabled, enabled, or ignored. Additionally, telemetry or feedback from external/third party sensors, devices, and the like can be utilized by this mechanism (e.g., a motherboard may incorporate sensors, embedded controllers, specialized logic, for example, which may interface with the mechanism to influence or tune parameters making changes specialized to suit a particular design, such as unique memory or bus PCB trace design and layout choices). 
     As an example use case, many processors contain circuitry that is designed and tested to operate linearly across a set range of conditions. For instance a processor may be designed and tested to operate to temperature specifications of −40° C. to 85° C. and is well characterized to operate linearly for voltage and other settings across those temperature conditions. Lab testing outside of this designed-for range depicts what is required to maintain functionality at differing conditions outside of that range (e.g., a different and non-linear set of voltages, timings, and settings to ensure continuous operation for these conditions). In the field, conditions are monitored and the necessary settings for voltage, timings, and the like are continually adjusted such that as external temperature conditions change out of and back into the linear operating region, functionality is maintained. 
     The methods provided can be implemented in a general purpose computer, a processor, or a processor core. Suitable processors include, by way of example, a general purpose processor, a purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in association with a DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) circuits, any other type of integrated circuit (IC), and/or a state machine. Such processors can be manufactured by configuring a manufacturing process using the results of processed hardware description language (HDL) instructions and other intermediary data including netlists (such instructions capable of being stored on a computer readable media). The results of such processing can be maskworks that are then used in a semiconductor manufacturing process to manufacture a processor which implements features of the disclosure. Further, although the methods and apparatus described above are described in the context of controlling and configuring PCIe links and ports, the methods and apparatus may be utilized in any interconnect protocol where link width is negotiated. 
     The methods or flow charts provided herein can be implemented in a computer program, software, or firmware incorporated in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for execution by a general purpose computer or a processor. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable storage mediums include a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a register, cache memory, semiconductor memory devices, magnetic media such as internal hard disks and removable disks, magneto-optical media, and optical media such as CD-ROM disks, and digital versatile disks (DVDs). For example, the methods described above may be implemented in the processor  102  or on any other processor in the computer system  100 .