Pch thermal sensor dynamic shutdown

Abstract

Particular embodiments described herein provide for a system, such as a computing system, that includes a processor operable to execute instructions associated with the electronic code, a thermal sensor operable to measure a temperature associated with a device, and a controller in communication with the thermal sensor. The controller is configured to receive an activity status associated with the processor, and receiving a temperature output value representative of a measured temperature associated with the device from the thermal sensor. The controller is further configured to provide a disable signal to the thermal sensor based upon the activity status indicating that the processor is in a reduced activity state and that the temperature output value is less than or equal to a predetermined temperature threshold value.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An system, comprising:
 a processor operable to execute instructions associated with the electronic code;   a thermal sensor operable to measure a temperature associated with a device; and   a controller in communication with the thermal sensor, the controller configured to:
 receive an activity status associated with the processor; 
 receive a temperature output value representative of a measured temperature associated with the device from the thermal sensor; and 
 provide a disable signal to the thermal sensor based upon the activity status indicating that the processor is in a reduced activity state and that the temperature output value is less than or equal to a predetermined temperature threshold value. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to store the temperature output value. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
 receive a request for the temperature output value from a requestor; and   provide the stored temperature output value to the requestor.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to provide the disable signal to the thermal sensor based upon the system being in a non-active state. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the non-active state comprises an idle state. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to provide an enable signal to the thermal sensor based upon the activity status indicating that the processor is in an active state. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to provide an enable signal to the thermal sensor based upon an elapsing of a predetermined time period. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the device includes a platform controller hub (PCH). 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor includes a central processing unit (CPU). 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the activity status is received from logic that is not the processor. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus, comprising:
 logic configured to:
 receive an activity status associated with a processor; 
 receive a temperature output value representative of a measured temperature associated with a device by a thermal sensor; and 
 provide a disable signal to the thermal sensor based upon the activity status indicating that the processor is in a reduced activity state and that the temperature output value is less than or equal to a predetermined temperature threshold value. 
   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the logic is further configured to store the temperature output value. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the logic is further configured to:
 receive a request for the temperature output value from a requestor; and   provide the stored temperature output value to the requestor.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the logic is further configured to provide the disable signal to the thermal sensor based upon the system being in a non-active state. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the logic is further configured to provide an enable signal to the thermal sensor based upon the activity status indicating that the processor is in an active state. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the logic is further configured to provide an enable signal to the thermal sensor based upon an elapsing of a predetermined time period. 
     
     
         17 . A method, comprising:
 receiving an activity status associated with a processor;   receiving a temperature output value representative of a measured temperature associated with a device by a thermal sensor; and   providing a disable signal to the thermal sensor based upon the activity status indicating that the processor is in a reduced activity state and that the temperature output value is less than or equal to a predetermined temperature threshold value.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising storing the temperature output value. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising providing an enable signal to the thermal sensor based upon the activity status indicating that the processor is in an active state.