Method and apparatus for establishing safe processor operating points

Abstract

A system and method is provided for establishing safe processor operating points. Some embodiments may include a tamper resistant storage element that stores information regarding one or more operating points of an adjustable processor operating parameter. Some embodiments may further include an element to determine what the current processor operating point is of the operating parameter, and an element to compare the current operating point of the operating parameter with the stored information.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A processor, comprising:
 i) first logic circuitry to cause saidprocessor's boot up process to be a secure boot up process;   ii) second logic circuitry having an interface to communicate to a voltage regulator, said second logic circuitry having an input that accepts first information, said first information indicative of a supply voltage applied to said processor during said boot up process;   iii) a first storage element to store second information indicative of a safe supply voltage operating range of said processor;   v) comparison circuitry that accepts said first information and accepts said second information, said comparison circuitry to ensure that said supply voltage does not reside outside said safe supply voltage operating range during said boot up process.