Multi-core Processor Frequency Control via Clock Source Segmentation

The patent segments the control of processing units by introducing the concept of a clock source as an intermediate control level. Instead of controlling each processing unit individually or all units sharing a clock source uniformly, the invention controls the clock source frequency to which multiple processing units are coupled. This segmentation allows current consumption to be reduced at the clock source level without suppressing the performance of individual processing units that may have different operational requirements.

The clock source serves as an intermediary element between the control mechanism and the processing units. By controlling the clock source frequency rather than directly controlling each processing unit, the invention achieves current reduction while avoiding direct performance suppression. The clock source mediates the relationship between power management and performance, allowing for more nuanced control.

The patent applies local quality by allowing different processing units to operate at different frequencies based on their individual temperature conditions and workload requirements. Instead of applying a uniform frequency reduction across all processing units when a temperature threshold is reached, the invention enables each processing unit to maintain its optimal frequency independently, thus managing heat locally without causing system-wide performance suppression.

The invention introduces dynamic control where the operating frequency of each processing unit can change independently based on real-time temperature conditions and performance requirements. Rather than using static temperature thresholds that trigger uniform frequency reduction, the system dynamically adjusts frequencies to balance thermal management with performance optimization for each processing unit.