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AMD PowerNow! Technology Initiative
AMD PowerNow! Technology Platform Design Guide for Embedded Processors
24267A/0—December 2000
Preliminary Information
Overview of this Document
This document identifies and describes the key components of
AMD PowerNow! technology as they apply to embedded system
designers desiring to incorporate AMD PowerNow! technology
features. Unless otherwise noted, the terms CPU or processor
refer to the AMD-K6-2E+ and/or the AMD-K6-IIIE+
processor built in 0.18-micron process technology.
Specifically, this document addresses the following:
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Identification of the Enhanced Power Management (EPM)
features designed in the 0.18-micron AMD-K6-2E+ and the
AMD-K6-IIIE+ processors for supporting AMD PowerNow!
technology.
Description of how the EPM features can be incorporated to
create embedded platforms enabled with AMD PowerNow!
technology.
Description of design considerations including new
processor pinouts, voltage regulator recommendations, and
other implementation options specific to designing with
AMD PowerNow! technology.
Note:
The information presented in this document is preliminary
and subject to change.
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Table 1.
Basic Set of AMD PowerNow! Technology Operational Modes
Operational Mode
Description
Application Power
High-Performance
Operation at peak frequency and voltage, maximizing performance
within thermal constraints
< 12 W
Automatic
Core voltage and frequency are scaled to exactly meet application
demand and conserve power usage
3
–11 W
Power-Saver
Operation at lowest supported frequency and voltage to maximize power
efficiency
< 3 W