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Thermal Specifications
5.5
PROCHOT# Signal Pin
An external signal, PROCHOT# (processor hot), is asserted when the processor die
temperature has reached its maximum operating temperature. If the Intel Thermal
Monitor 1 is enabled (note that the Intel Thermal Monitor 1 must be enabled for the
processor to be operating within specification), the TCC is active when PROCHOT# is
asserted. The processor can be configured to generate an interrupt upon the assertion
or deassertion of PROCHOT#.
The processor implements a bi-directional PROCHOT# capability to allow system
designs to protect various components from over-heating situations. The PROCHOT#
signal is bi-directional in that it can either signal when the processor has reached its
maximum operating temperature or be driven from an external source to activate the
TCC. The ability to activate the TCC via PROCHOT# can provide a means for thermal
protection of system components.
One application for the PROCHOT# signal is the thermal protection of voltage
regulators (VR). System designers can create a circuit to monitor the VR temperature
and activate the TCC when the temperature limit of the VR is reached. By asserting
PROCHOT# (pulled-low) and activating the TCC, the VR can cool down as a result of
reduced processor power consumption. Bi-directional PROCHOT# can allow VR thermal
designs to target maximum sustained current instead of maximum current. Systems
should still provide proper cooling for the VR, and rely on bi-directional PROCHOT# only
as a backup in case of system cooling failure. The system thermal design should allow
the power delivery circuitry to operate within its temperature specification even while
the processor is operating at its TDP. With a properly designed and characterized
thermal solution, it is anticipated that bi-directional PROCHOT# would only be asserted
for very short periods of time when running the most power-intensive applications. An
under-designed thermal solution that is not able to prevent excessive assertion of
PROCHOT# in the anticipated ambient environment may cause a noticeable
performance loss.
Datasheet
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