Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
Programmable voltage regulation for data processor

Abstract:

A data processor includes at least one power supply voltage terminal for receiving a power supply voltage and a power supply current, a data processing circuit, a register, and a port controller. The data processing circuit is coupled to the at least one power supply voltage terminal and operates using the power supply voltage. The register stores a nominal value of the power supply voltage, an electrical design current (EDC) limit, and an EDC slope, wherein the EDC slope specifies a desired voltage-current relationship for an external voltage regulator when the power supply current exceeds the EDC limit. The port controller is coupled to the register and to an output port. The data processing circuit is operative to cause the port controller to output the nominal value of the power supply voltage, the EDC limit, and the EDC slope over the output port for use by the external voltage regulator.