Maximal Temperature Logging

Abstract

A computer implemented method, data processing system, and processor are provided for logging a maximal temperature in an integrated circuit. A digital thermal sensor senses a temperature in the integrated circuit. The sensed temperature of the digital thermal sensor is read and a determination is made as to whether the sensed temperature is higher than a current maximal temperature. The sensed temperature is logged in response to the sensed temperature being higher than the current maximal temperature. The sensed temperature becomes a new maximal temperature for the integrated circuit.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
   
   
       11 . A data processing system comprising:
 a bus;   a memory coupled to the bus, wherein the memory includes a set of instructions; and   a integrated circuit coupled to the bus, wherein the integrated circuit executes the set of instructions to sense, using a digital thermal sensor, a temperature in the integrated circuit;   read, using a thermal management control state machine, the sensed temperature of the digital thermal sensor;   determine, using a comparator, if the sensed temperature is higher than a current maximal temperature;   log, using the state machine, the sensed temperature in response to the sensed temperature being higher than the current maximal temperature, wherein the sensed temperature becomes a new maximal temperature for the integrated circuit, wherein the log of the sensed temperature is accomplished by storing the new maximal temperature in a maximal temperature status register within the integrated circuit;   wherein the integrated circuit executes the set of instructions to determine, using the state machine, if a read of the new maximal temperature in the maximal temperature status register has occurred, wherein a device coupled to the integrated circuit performs the read of the new maximal temperature in the maximal temperature status register;   in response to the read of the maximal temperature status register: (i) read, using the state machine, the sensed temperature of the digital thermal sensor, wherein the sensed temperature is the current maximal temperature of the integrated circuit, and (ii) replace, using the state machine, the new maximal temperature in the maximal temperature status register with the current maximal temperature sensed by the digital thermal sensor;   wherein the integrated circuit executes the set of instructions to determine, using the state machine, if the integrated circuit has been reset; and   in response to the integrated circuit being reset: (i) read, using the state machine, the sensed temperature of the digital thermal sensor, wherein the sensed temperature is the current maximal temperature of the integrated circuit, and (ii) replace, using the state machine, the new maximal temperature in the maximal temperature status register with the current maximal temperature sensed by the digital thermal sensor.   
   
   
       12 . (canceled) 
   
   
       13 . (canceled) 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the integrated circuit executes the set of instructions to maintain, using the state machine, the current maximal temperature in the maximal temperature status register as the maximal temperature of the integrated circuit in response to the sensed temperature being lower or equal to the current maximal temperature. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the integrated circuit is a heterogeneous multi-core processor. 
   
   
       16 . A processor, comprising:
 at least one processing core;   a thermal management control state machine;   a comparator; and   a digital thermal sensor, wherein the processor executes a set of instructions to sense, using the digital thermal sensor, a temperature in the processor;   read, using the state machine, the sensed temperature of the digital thermal sensor;   determine, using the comparator, if the sensed temperature is higher than a current maximal temperature;   log, using the state machine, the sensed temperature in response to the sensed temperature being higher than the current maximal temperature, wherein the sensed temperature becomes a new maximal temperature for the processor, wherein the log of the sensed temperature is accomplished by storing the new maximal temperature in a maximal temperature status register within the processor;   wherein the processor executes the set of instructions to determine, using the state machine, if a read of the new maximal temperature in the maximal temperature status register has occurred, and in response to the read of the maximal temperature status register: (i) read, using the state machine, the sensed temperature of the digital thermal sensor, wherein the sensed temperature is the current maximal temperature of the processor, and (ii) replace, using the state machine, the new maximal temperature in the maximal temperature register with the current maximal temperature sensed by the digital thermal sensor, wherein a device coupled to the processor performs the read of the new maximal temperature in the maximal temperature status register; and   wherein the processor executes the set of instructions to determine, using the state machine, if the processor has been reset, and in response to the processor being reset: (i) read, using the state machine, the sensed temperature of the digital thermal sensor, wherein the sensed temperature is the current maximal temperature of the processor, and (ii) replace, using the state machine, the new maximal temperature in the maximal temperature status register with the current maximal temperature sensed by the digital thermal sensor.   
   
   
       17 . (canceled) 
   
   
       18 . (canceled) 
   
   
       19 . The processor of  claim 16 , wherein the processor executes the set of instructions to maintain, using the state machine, the current maximal temperature in the maximal temperature status register as the maximal temperature of the processor in response to the sensed temperature being lower or equal to the current maximal temperature. 
   
   
       20 . The processor of  claim 16 , wherein the processor is a heterogeneous multi-core processor.