US 6,983,389 B1
Clock control of functional units in an integrated circuit based on monitoring unit signals to predict inactivity
Michael A. Filippo, Manchaca, Tex. (US)
Assigned to Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., Sunnyvale, Calif. (US)
Filed on Feb. 01, 2002, as Appl. No. 10/61,671.
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G06F 1/32 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 713—324 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An integrated device, comprising:
a plurality of functional units, wherein each functional unit is configured to receive one or more input signals, perform an operation or task, and produce one or more output signals, wherein each functional unit is configured to be inactive while one or more of the other functional units is active;
a plurality of activity detector and clock control units coupled to said plurality of functional units; wherein each activity detector and clock control unit is associated with a different one of the functional units and configured to predict when its associated functional unit will be inactive;
wherein a first one of the activity detector and clock control units is configured to monitor some or all of the input signals received by and output signals produced by a first one of the functional units to predict when the first functional unit will be inactive;
wherein each activity detector and clock control unit is configured to shut off a clock to its associated functional unit in response to its associated functional unit being predicted to be inactive, and provides the clock to its associated functional unit when its associated functional unit is active.