PowerPC 603, a microprocessor for portable computers

Author

Gary, Sonya ; Ippolito, Pete ; Gerosa, Gianfranco ; Dietz, Carl ; Eno, J. ; Sanchez, Hector

Author_Institution

PowerPC 603 Design Team, Somerset Design Center, Austin, TX, USA

Volume

11

Issue

4

fYear

1994

Firstpage

14

Lastpage

23

Abstract

The PowerPC 603 incorporates a variety of features to reduce power dissipation: dynamic idle-time shutdown of separate execution units, low-power cache design, and power considerations for standard cells, data-path elements, and clocking. System-level features include three software-programmable static power management modes and a hardware-programmable phase-lock loop. Operating at 80 MHz, the 603 typically dissipates 2.2 W, while achieving an estimated 75 Specint92 and 85 Specfp92.<>

Keywords

cache storage; computer power supplies; microprocessor chips; portable computers; PowerPC 603; dynamic idle-time shutdown; hardware-programmable; low-power cache design; microprocessor; phase-lock loop; portable computers; power dissipation; software-programmable; static power management modes; Batteries; Circuit testing; Energy management; Microprocessors; Portable computers; Power dissipation; Power system management; Process design; Switching circuits; Voltage;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Design & Test of Computers, IEEE

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0740-7475

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/54.329447

Filename

329447